Seizures can be caused by many different types of ailments. Epilepsy is one of the more common illnesses that causes seizures. It’s a neurological disorder that one out of 26 Americans will be diagnosed with over a lifetime. It’s estimated that roughly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with epilepsy every year. Seizures are dangerous; they can cause a wide range of symptoms, including a loss of awareness and uncontrollable twitching, which can also lead to physical injuries.

Although there is no cure, a recent advancement in the study of seizures was made when it was found that dogs could identify the odor of a seizure. The potential use of seizure alert dogs could help researchers figure out ways to prevent seizures before they happen.

The Potential of Seizure Alert Dogs

There is enough evidence to indicate dogs have the ability to sniff out seizures before they happen; however, it’s unclear what exactly dogs are smelling. It could mean the subtle changes in how a person is behaving triggers a dog’s response. Whatever it is could lead to more knowledge about the seizures themselves and how to prevent them. At the very least, a person with epilepsy could seek a safe place when alerted by a seizure alert dog. 

A Study on Dogs and Seizures

Scientists recently conducted a study. They took body fluid samples from several subjects with epilepsy, using subjects not experiencing a seizure, exercising, and in the midst of a seizure. They gave these samples to five different dogs trained to identify a range of diseases.

All five dogs were able to identify the sample that was taken from a subject in the midst of a seizure. The study shows that there is something specific that dogs are able to sniff out that indicates a seizure is occurring or about to occur.

Seizure alert dogs can help scientists identify a specific chemical signature which could lead to important advancements in treating epilepsy. For more health news, visit us at The Benefits Store today.