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Common Seizure Triggers

Not everyone has seizure triggers. But if you do, here are some triggers that could be affecting you.

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1

Missed Medication

Skipping doses of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is one of the most common seizure triggers. ASMs work by preventing seizure activity in the brain, but they’re only effective when taken as prescribed.

Skipping doses of anti-seizure medications is one of the most common seizure triggers.

Missing a dose or taking the wrong dose can lower medication levels in your bloodstream and trigger seizures.

2

Stress

Stress, anxiety, excitement, or other intense emotions are also common seizure triggers. Stress can also indirectly contribute to other triggers, such as depression or lack of sleep.

3

Inadequate Sleep

Lack of sleep and poor quality sleep may contribute to epileptic seizures. Possible reasons you’re not sleeping well may include:

• A change in schedule

• Insomnia

• Medication side effects

• Poor sleep quality

• Alcohol or caffeine

• Seizures that happen during sleep (called nocturnal seizures)

4

Alcohol

Alcohol can raise the risk of seizures in some cases. This is more common when drinking heavily or quitting alcohol suddenly after a history of heavy drinking.

Alcohol can also cause you to forget your anti-seizure medications and worsen sleep quality, which can make seizures more likely.

Alcohol can cause you to forget your anti-seizure medications and worsen sleep quality, which can make seizures more likely.

5

Caffeine, Nicotine, and Other Substances

Caffeine is a stimulant that, when taken in large amounts (such as in energy drinks), may increase the likelihood of a seizure for some people. Experts also suspect that nicotine and other stimulants may trigger seizures.

Common sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Having some of these products every day may not make a difference. But consuming a lot of caffeine at once might.

When taken in large amounts, caffeine and other stimulants can make the brain more excitable. Recreational illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and MDMA (ecstasy or molly) can also trigger seizures in people with epilepsy.

Some medications, including certain over-the-counter options, may increase your seizure risk or interact with your anti-seizure medications.

Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting a new medication or supplement to make sure it won’t interfere with your epilepsy medication.

6

Flashing Lights

Flashing lights and certain visual patterns — like contrasting colors or alternating patterns of different colors — can trigger seizures in some people with photosensitive epilepsy. Sometimes, sounds and being around certain electronics can also trigger these types of seizures.

7

Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can also trigger seizures. However, this isn’t as big a factor in healthy people who don’t have diabetes or other health conditions.

Skipping meals or eating at irregular times may increase your seizure risk. This is more likely if you exercise heavily or take medications that affect blood sugar (like insulin).

8

Time of Day

Some people have seizures at specific times of day or night, including while they’re sleeping. These patterns are thought to be related to the brain’s natural circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.

9

Hormonal Changes

Hormone shifts that happen throughout the menstrual cycle can be a seizure trigger.

One MyEpilepsyTeam member shared, “I started my period when I was 12, and I had my first seizure that same day. The seizures would last until my period stopped, then they would start all over again next month.” For men it happens during puberty. "Had mine when my body was changing. They started at 13."

10

Fever and Illness

High fever from an infection or illness can cause febrile seizures. However, children are much more likely to experience febrile seizures than adults. Having a febrile seizure as a kid doesn’t mean you’re more likely to have epilepsy as an adult.

If you’re sick and throwing up, it may be difficult to take seizure medications and keep them down. In addition, illness, fever, dehydration, poor sleep can increase seizure risk in some people with epilepsy.