How can epileptic seizures be prevented?
Written in association with:Epilepsy affects around 600,000 people in the UK. Around 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy in the UK every day.
We got in contact with expert consultant neurologist, Dr Anke Hensiek, to find out whether seizures can be prevented, we learnt about some of the triggers and how dangerous epilepsy is.
What happens when an epileptic seizure occurs and what causes epilepsy?
The brain works through electrical signals that go via certain pathways. When a seizure happens, this electrical activity becomes disorganised, almost like a burst of energy in the brain. Anyone can have a seizure in extreme situations, for example when blood sugar levels are very low or individuals are exposed to toxins or dehydration.
People with recurrent seizures or epilepsy usually have a lower seizure threshold, which leads to seizures also occurring in normal and not just in extreme situations. This lowering of seizure threshold is often due to a genetic predisposition, although having a structural abnormality of the brain can also trigger the seizures. Epilepsy medication stabilises the electricity in the brain and thereby can prevent epileptic seizures.
How can a patient prevent seizures?
Patients with epilepsy who have a low seizure threshold need to take epilepsy medication to stabilise the electrical activity in their brain. The most important factor to prevent seizures is to take the prescribed epilepsy medication daily and regularly. In addition to medication, individuals with epilepsy should have a healthy lifestyle and avoid exposure to flashing lights. Sleeping well, not being stressed, eating regular meals and limiting alcohol are all important factors to reduce the risk of having a seizure.
When can seizures be dangerous?
For most patients, epileptic seizures resolve spontaneously, and in those situations, the main risk relates to the risk of injuries during a seizure, for example sustaining cuts, burns, or bruising. Clearly, if the seizure occurs in certain situations like swimming, standing on heights or handling heavy machinery, more serious injuries can result.
Very rarely are seizures prolonged and in those situations, a person’s ability to breathe can be affected and patients need to be treated in hospital. Finally, there is the risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, which occurs in 1 in 1,000 patients, but in particular in those with severe and poorly controlled epilepsy.
Even though most people with epilepsy can control their seizures and lead a normal life, the risk factors mentioned above mean that, on average, individuals with epilepsy have a slightly reduced life expectancy. However, the risk of complications in epilepsy can be significantly reduced and controlled with medications and lifestyle changes.
What are some of the main triggers?
Lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, recreational drugs, infections, structural abnormality of the brain, or stroke can all trigger epileptic seizures. Some women have a higher seizure frequency at the time of menstruation and the seizure threshold can be lowered by infections or head injuries.
Can certain foods trigger a seizure?
Regular lifestyle and a healthy diet are important. Stimulants like coffee, alcohol or tea, as well as food with high levels of sugar might rarely trigger seizures – all of this should be consumed in moderation. It has been shown that a ketogenic diet can be helpful in rare, severe cases of epilepsy, but this is not recommended for the vast majority of individuals with seizures.
Can epilepsy ever be cured?
Although epilepsy can rarely be cured, it can be controlled and managed very well in most patients. About 80 per cent of people who take medication are either completely seizure-free or only have very occasional and infrequent seizures. Some forms of epilepsy resolve spontaneously with time and certain patients’ epilepsy can be treated or even cured with surgery.
Since patients with epilepsy usually need to take medication long-term and be aware of lifestyle changes, it is important to be well-informed about the condition to lower the risk of complications. Patients with epilepsy should be under the care of a consultant neurologist and epilepsy specialist nurse.
If you’re looking to treat epilepsy or other neurological conditions, we recommend booking an appointment with Dr Anke Hensiek. Visit her Top Doctors profile today for more information.
