Seizure Triggers
Some people may find that seizures occur in a pattern or are more likely to occur in certain situations. Sometimes is just by chance, but other times it’s not. Keeping track of any factors that may come before a seizure (also called seizure triggers) can help you recognize when a seizure may be coming. You can then be prepared and learn how to lessen the chance that a seizure may occur at this time.
Some people will notice one or two triggers very easily. For example, their seizures may occur only during sleep or when waking up. Other people may notice that some triggers bother them only when a lot is going on at once or during a "high risk" time for them. Such as, when they are under a lot of stress or sick.
What are some commonly reported triggers?
Commonly reported triggers include:
- Specific time of day or night
- Lack of sleep- overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep, disrupted sleep
- Illness- both with and without fever
- Flashing bright lights or patterns
- Alcohol- including heavy alcohol use or alcohol withdrawal
- Drug use- use of cocaine and other recreational drugs such as ecstasy
- Stress- good or bad stress could be a trigger
- Menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes
- Not eating well- long times without eating, dehydration, not enough fluids, low blood sugar, vitamins and mineral deficiencies
- Specific foods- excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures
- Use of certain medications and missed medications
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Managing Seizure TriggersHow can I tell if something is a trigger?
Sometimes people think just because a situation happened once or twice, it’s a trigger to all their seizures. It’s important to realize that a trigger is something that occurs fairly consistently before seizures and more often than by chance. To identify triggers, try a few of these strategies:
- Whenever you have a seizure, note what time of day it occurs, any special situations surrounding it, or how you felt. Note if any of the commonly reported triggers were present.
- Write these in your seizure diary. Do this consistently, for each seizure.
- If you notice a particular trigger happens consistently before a seizure, make note of it. You should also note if the trigger happens and a seizure does not follow. Keep track of this as well - this can help determine if this is a consistent trigger for you.
- If you have a form of reflex epilepsy, talk to your doctor about the trigger. Knowing the type of epilepsy and trigger can help you build in ways to avoid the triggers whenever possible or find ways to lessen their effect on you.
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Contact Our HelplineHow are triggers related to reflex epilepsy?
Some people may notice that their seizures occur in response to very specific situations, as if the seizure is a "reflex." There is a type of epilepsy called 'reflex epilepsy' – in this type, seizures occur consistently in relation to a specific trigger.
For example, one type of reflex epilepsy is photosensitive epilepsy where seizures are triggered specifically by flashing lights. Other types of reflex epilepsies may be seizures triggered by the act of reading or by noises.
These reflex epilepsies are not common, but knowing if you have this form of epilepsy will help you learn how to manage them!
Resources
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Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline
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