What Can Trigger A Seizure?

An individual who tends to have seizures will be diagnosed with Epilepsy. Usually, the cause of Epilepsy involves a previous injury to the brain. In other cases, there are no identified causes for Epilepsy, but there are things that may trigger the frequency or severity of seizures. Seizure types vary in every individual who gets them, so causes and triggers are also different. Long Island Neurology Consultants has a Garden City neurologist that can inform you of the possible triggers of your seizures for you to be watching out for.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is when a burst of electrical impulses goes out of normal limits, transmitted to your muscles, causing twitching or convulsions. 

Types of Seizures

There are two types of seizures an individual may have, which include:

• Focal: abnormal activity in one part of your brain that may cause you to lose consciousness or keep you awake or alert during
  • Losing consciousness: can change your emotions or alter your senses. You may jerk your arm or leg or feel dizzy or a tingly sensation.
  • Not losing consciousness: you aren’t aware of your surroundings or staring into space.
• Generalized: abnormal activity occurring in all parts of your brain. There are six types:
  • Absence: occur mostly in children and cause small movements
  • Tonic: stiffens your muscles which causes you to fall down
  • Atonic: take away your muscle control 
  • Clonic: jerking movements in your neck, face, and arms.
  • Myoclonic: short twitching or jerking in arms or legs
  • Tonic-clonic: make you lose consciousness, stiffen your whole body, shake or bite your tongue or lose control of your bladder.

Possible Triggers That Cause Seizures

Although the true causes of seizures are unknown, certain factors are known to provoke them. Being aware and avoiding these factors can reduce the frequency of seizures you experience. Triggers include:

• Other medications that interfere with seizure medications
• Illegal drugs
• Lack of sleep
• Flashing lights, images, or patterns
• Overuse of alcohol
• Missing mediation doses
• For women: heavy menstrual periods

LI Neurology Consultants – Garden City Neurologist

You must be aware of possible triggers that you should avoid to reduce your seizures. Still, our Garden city neurologist can diligently work with you to find any unique or different triggers. Long Island Neurology Consultants specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders, and our Garden city neurologist will gladly help you. Contact us or visit our website to schedule an appointment!