If you have a child who has been diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy, their treatment requires a daily commitment. Depending on the type and severity of your child’s seizures, their treatment plan may also evolve over time.

Seizures stem from abnormal functioning of your child’s brain, so it makes sense that habits promoting healthy brain functioning can also aid in seizure management. Here are four habits that will promote brain health in your child.

1. Stick to Your Child’s Medication Plan

Antiepileptic medication works by maintaining a certain level of the drug in your child’s body. If that level is reduced or interrupted, it can take time to restore it. During that time, your child could be vulnerable to a seizure.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is an incredibly important activity for the brain, so getting enough sleep on a regular basis is extremely important for brain functioning. The brain builds up residual chemicals over time from normal use, then flushed out during sleep. Not getting enough regular sleep can make a seizure more likely.

3. Stay Hydrated

Our bodies are mostly made up of water, and our brains in particular need it to function properly. Particularly if your child participates in sports, talk to your doctor about using sports drinks and how much water is appropriate for your child.

4. Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet focuses on a diet rich with protein and fats, while severely restricting carbohydrates. Many parents of children with pediatric epilepsy have found help managing seizures by using this diet. Because the diet severely restricts all refined sugars, it’s also a good way to promote healthy lifestyle choices your child can take into adulthood.