If you have epilepsy, you should only attempt to detox from alcohol with medical assistance, as you are much more likely to have withdrawal seizures during the detox process. This will normally require a detox facility or rehab to ensure your medical safety. The answer to whether alcohol can trigger seizures is more complex than you might think. Seizures are different for everyone; however, seizures can often be predicted right before they occur by a phenomenon called an aura. An aura is different for everyone and can include a visual disturbance, a smell, a taste or even a strong emotional feeling.
Multiple studies have established that individuals with family histories of specific neurological conditions exhibit heightened sensitivity to alcohol’s effects. If people have an alcohol use disorder, they can talk with a healthcare professional about treatment options. If people withdraw from alcohol after heavy use, it is important to do so with medical supervision. It is possible for chronic alcohol consumption to cause seizures in people without a history of seizures. Heavy alcohol consumption is a common trigger for seizures in those who already have epilepsy.
Causes & Risk Factors
Dr. Shouri has always been fascinated with the structure and function of the human brain. Having one seizure doesn’t always mean you have epilepsy, can alcohol trigger epileptic seizures but the chance of having another within two years is between 21% and 45%. A neurologist can help assess your risk and recommend the right next steps. During a seizure, a person’s lips may turn blue due to irregular breathing and low oxygen levels. Seizures can be physically exhausting, often leaving the person feeling tired and confused afterward.
Long-term alcohol misuse can lead to chronic neurological damage, increasing the likelihood of seizure disorders (CDC, 2022). Seizures from drinking are most likely to occur as the effects of alcohol wear off. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are more common in those who have been binge drinking or are trying to stop using alcohol after prolonged use.
Infections that affect the brain can lead to epilepsy by causing inflammation, scarring, or structural damage. This is a major cause of epilepsy worldwide, especially in low-resource areas. Your epilepsy specialist nurse will give you more specific information about the medication you take and any possible interaction with alcohol. This week’s blog looks at how you can stay safe and looks at how some anti-epileptic medication doesn’t mix well with alcohol. Although these are general guidelines, your tolerance or consumption recommendation can vary based on your overall health, size, and medical condition. If you are thinking of going on a weight loss diet, seek advice from your doctor or specialist first.
- Consuming alcohol is a common seizure trigger for people with epilepsy.
- While panic attacks do not cause seizures, the stress they put on your body can make other conditions worse.
- If you have epilepsy, you should only attempt to detox from alcohol with medical assistance, as you are much more likely to have withdrawal seizures during the detox process.
Some disorders change the brain’s structure, while others affect how brain cells work. When seizures begin more than a week after a TBI, it’s called post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). About 80% of people with PTE are diagnosed within two years of their injury. Researchers believe that brain inflammation, nerve cell damage, and changes in brain connections may trigger epilepsy after a TBI.
While alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, they are not guaranteed to happen. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are more likely to occur in those who have used alcohol heavily over prolonged periods. Those with an underlying health risk for seizures, a history of diabetes or who have experienced alcohol withdrawal seizures are most at risk.
Long-term alcohol consumption and risk of epilepsy
If you have epilepsy, drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time can trigger a breakthrough seizure putting you at risk. Even people without epilepsy can sometimes have a seizure after a night of binge drinking. Research shows that people who use alcohol heavily may be at an increased risk of developing epilepsy.
Heavy alcohol use can lead to seizures, especially when you stop drinking and start to enter a period of withdrawal. Not drinking alcohol is generally the safest approach to avoid alcohol-triggered seizures. However, people who are addicted to alcohol or drink significant amounts of alcohol regularly may be at increased risk of seizures when they stop drinking.
Related Conditions
Even people who do not have epilepsy can have a seizure after taking recreational drugs. The most common reason for a seizure is forgetting to take your anti-epileptic drugs (AED) or deliberately not taking it. However, identifying potential triggers for seizures can be the first step towards better seizure control. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyEpilepsyTeam.
Can alcohol trigger seizures in epilepsy?
You are also likely to be dehydrated and may feel nauseous the next day not wanting to eat. If tiredness is a potential seizure trigger for you and you know it is going to be a late-night, try and sleep before you go out, and rest the next day to catch up on your sleep. A diagnosis of epilepsy does not automatically mean you have to stop drinking alcohol. In this article, learn what alcohol does to the brain, how it can lead to seizures, and what you need to know about alcohol use if you already have a seizure disorder.
Duration of Elevated Risk
If you’re dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice to avoid problems from alcohol withdrawal. People who drink large amounts of alcohol and suddenly stop are at a higher-than-usual risk of seizures. About 5 percent of people detoxing from alcohol abuse will have alcohol withdrawal seizures as part of the process of quitting drinking.
People who have epilepsy often wonder whether it is safe to drink alcohol. Several different factors can increase your risk of having seizures when you have epilepsy. Because alcohol affects the brain, there may be an increased risk of an epileptic seizure while drinking.
Research indicates that even moderate alcohol intake can alter neurological function in ways that may affect seizure thresholds. Alcohol consumption has been documented to create significant short-term effects for individuals with epilepsy. The seizure threshold represents the point at which neural activity transitions from normal to excessive, resulting in seizure activity. The diagnostic criteria for epilepsy requires the occurrence of at least two unprovoked seizures more than 24 hours apart. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal. However, they may cause people to fall and sustain potentially serious injuries, such as head injuries.
However, genes don’t always cause epilepsy on their own—they may just increase the risk, especially if combined with other risk factors like brain injuries or illnesses. Although epilepsy is a lifelong condition for some, many people manage their seizures effectively with medication and other treatments. With the right care, most individuals with epilepsy can lead full, active lives. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent or higher. This means consuming roughly five or more drinks for a man, or four or more drinks for a woman, in about two hours.
Taking Aptiom with one of these medications can make your body break down Aptiom faster than usual. This can lower the level of Aptiom in your body, which can make it less effective at treating seizures. If you’re experiencing panic attacks and seizure-like episodes, it’s essential to seek medical help to determine the cause and receive the right treatment.
Learn more about the causes and treatments for illusory and hallucinatory palinopsia. You can also help prevent interactions with Aptiom by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes. If Aptiom doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs. If you have questions about taking Aptiom with a statin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.