What Triggers Epileptic Seizures?

No two cases of Epilepsy are the same. One person’s seizure triggers might be different from someone else’s triggers. But usually, there are several well-known and extremely common triggers.  Some of the triggers are listed below.

Missed Medication

Missed consumption of medication is the #1 reason as to why people with controlled seizures might have breakthrough ones (sudden, unexpected seizures in a person who might have previously had control over seizures).

Lack of Sleep

Being in a good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but it is especially important if you have epilepsy. 

Stress

Stress might take a physical toll on the body. It might lead to headaches, sleeplessness, or shall enhance the risk for conditions including heart disease or diabetes, only when it is long-lasting. In case of Epilepsy, stress can also bring on severe seizures.

Alcohol

In small amounts (i.e. 1 to 2 standard drinks) alcohol does not typically lead to seizures. However, binge drinking i.e. having too much alcohol at once in a short period of time or cases of having 3 or more drinks can be triggering.

Menstruation

About half of women of childbearing age with epilepsy might have increased seizures around their period. This shall likely occur due to hormonal changes while the monthly cycle.

The Common Cold, a Sinus Infection or the Flu

Fever is known to be the physical stress of being sick, and dehydration (from not drinking or eating normally or due to vomiting) might all get on seizures.

A Whole Host of Other Things

Flashing lights might lead to seizures in some people, but it might be much less frequent than one shall imagine. In fact, only 3% of people with Epilepsy are photosensitive (react inversely to the flashlights).

The Final Word

It does not matter if the cause is known or not, or if the only person, the physician has heard of with that trigger. Know the body best, if something regularly triggers seizures, take it seriously and do best to avoid the condition.

One of the most important things that can be done is to talk to the healthcare provider. Do not try some new treatment, or let the possibility of a seizure scare away from an antibiotic, or even avoid watching a movie, without talking to the provider, first.