People with epilepsy have triggers that increase the frequency of seizures. It could be sleep deprivation or alcohol consumption, but sometimes the trigger is unique to the individual.
Emotional stress has also been linked to the occurrence and frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy.
While there isn’t enough evidence to conclude that stress triggers epileptic seizures, studies have found that it’s likely to increase susceptibility to seizures in a subgroup of epilepsy patients.
Since emotional stress is characterized by negative emotions like fear, worry, and sadness, it leads to abnormal changes in the brain that may trigger a seizure.
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How to Reduce Seizures
If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to reduce seizures, there are ways to lower your chances of getting one.
Epilepsy is a condition that has existed for quite as long as humans have. Through research, we now know steps you can take to prevent seizures or maintain their occurrence at a minimum. Let’s discuss a few.
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Stay Vigilant with Medications
Doctors usually prescribe antiepileptic drugs to combat seizures. If it’s the medication for you, it may stop or reduce your seizures. As such, it’s crucial that you take these medications as prescribed.
Skipping medications or discontinuing them without a doctor’s approval is one of the leading causes of increased seizure frequency.
Not taking your medications properly may cause your seizures to become unresponsive to anti-seizure medications.
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Manage Stress
Stress is a strong emotion that causes changes in the brain. When brain activity goes beyond what is normal, it could trigger a seizure in an epilepsy patient.
Considering that stress causes a huge health risk linked to many health problems, you shouldn’t dismiss it.
Find ways to cope with daily stressors, like taking time to unwind and doing activities you love.
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Consider Alternative Treatments
Medications help, but sometimes doctors may not find the right medication or combination to reduce seizures. While they work on finding what works for you, explore alternative options.
There’s evidence that cannabinoids in cannabis can interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to stabilize electrical activity in the brain.
Learn about Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains to understand their role in relieving symptoms of various illnesses, including epilepsy. Visit Veriheal to learn more about the various cannabis strains.
You could discuss medical marijuana as a treatment option with your doctor.
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Don’t Drink Alcohol
It’s not advisable to drink alcohol if you have epilepsy since it’s a common trigger for seizures. If possible, avoid alcohol consumption.
For those who can’t completely quit drinking, tone it down a bit and try not to drink often to reduce your chances of getting a seizure. You can make it an occasional habit.
If you’re willing to quit drinking (which is highly recommended) but don’t know how to do it, there are resources online that can help. You may start here to learn more about the steps you can take to attain sobriety.
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Eat Well
By eating well, we mean a healthy diet and avoiding skipping meals.
Remember, your body uses glucose as a primary energy source. When you skip meals, you risk your blood sugar levels dropping below what’s normal. That’s particularly dangerous in people with diabetes.
In patients with epilepsy, low blood sugar can trigger seizures and, therefore, should be avoided.
Maintain a Normal Sleep Pattern
Lack of sleep is a known trigger for seizures. While it’s normal to pull an all-nighter or sleep late for whatever reason, people with epilepsy don’t have that luxury.
Disrupting your sleep pattern could cause a seizure and increase its intensity or frequency, even in patients who rarely get them.
You must ensure you get adequate sleep while adhering to a regular sleep pattern.
Keep in mind that the reason sleep deprivation is closely linked to seizures goes back to the brain’s electrical activity, which is affected by the sleep-wake cycles.
If you have sleep problems, it’s advisable to resolve them quickly. That may mean seeking professional help.
Final Thoughts
Epileptic seizures can be tough to control, especially when medications aren’t very effective. But you must keep up the fight. Doing that involves trying your best to avoid things that could trigger or worsen your seizures, including stress.
