Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About MyEpilepsyTeam
Powered By

10 Common Seizure Triggers and 9 Tips To Avoid Them

Medically reviewed by Amit M. Shelat, D.O.
Updated on August 1, 2024

Common Triggers | Identifying Triggers | Avoiding Triggers | Get Support

Although epileptic seizures can occur randomly and without warning, many people find that their seizures are caused by specific triggers. Many different things can trigger seizures, and each person’s experiences are different. A seizure trigger can be a specific sight or sound, a substance, or a physiologic state (such as having low blood sugar).

Triggers do not cause epilepsy (the underlying causes of epilepsy vary from genetic predisposition to illness and injury) but rather put your brain into a state where it is more likely to have seizure activity. It is important to identify what provokes your seizures and to learn how you can avoid those triggers.

Common Seizure Triggers

Some of the most common seizure triggers include:

  • Missing a dose of epilepsy medication
  • Stress
  • Lack of sleep
  • Alcohol
  • Withdrawal from narcotics or barbiturates
  • Caffeine
  • Flashing lights or patterns
  • Low blood sugar
  • Time of day
  • Hormonal changes
  • Fever
  • Infection or other illness

1. Missed Medication

Failure to take antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as prescribed is one of the most common seizure triggers. AEDs work by preventing seizure activity in the brain, but for the medication to work properly, you must have a high enough level of medication in your bloodstream. Missing a dose or taking the wrong dose of your AED can decrease these levels and trigger seizures.

2. Stress

Stress is another commonly reported trigger. Emotional or psychological stress, including anxiety, anger, depression, or other heightened emotional states, can trigger a seizure in some people. Stress can also contribute to other triggers, such as lack of sleep.

3. Inadequate Sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the top triggers for epileptic seizures in many people. Lack of sleep may be due to a change in schedule, insomnia, medication side effects, poor sleep quality, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and even seizures during sleep.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can lead to seizures. Some people with epilepsy can tolerate small amounts of alcohol, but others may have seizures after only one drink. Binge drinking — drinking until you are intoxicated — is a very common trigger. Seizures triggered by alcohol can occur anywhere from one to two hours after drinking and up to 48 hours after stopping heavy drinking. Alcohol can also trigger seizures by changing your blood levels of AEDs and other medications. Finally, alcohol can also negatively affect your sleep, contributing to potential seizures.

5. Caffeine, Nicotine, and Other Substances

Caffeine and nicotine are commonly used stimulants that can lower your seizure threshold. Coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate can all have high levels of caffeine. When taken in large amounts, caffeine and other stimulants can increase the excitability in the brain. Other recreational and illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and MDMA (ecstasy or molly) can induce seizures in people with epilepsy.

Some medications, including over-the-counter options, can change how the body processes your AEDs, leading to seizures. Always check with your health care provider or pharmacist to see if any of your medication or supplements interact with your epilepsy medication.

6. Flashing Lights

Flashing lights and certain patterns (such as optical illusions that appear to move) can trigger seizures in some people with photosensitive epilepsy. The frequency of flashing light that triggers seizures varies from person to person. Sometimes, high-contrast geometric patterns can also trigger these types of seizures.

7. Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) may trigger seizures. Skipping meals or eating at irregular times can cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall.

8. Time of Day

Some people have seizures at a specific time of day or night, including while they are sleeping.

9. Hormonal Changes

During a normal menstrual cycle, the body goes through changes in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Changing hormone levels can be a seizure trigger.

10. Fever

High fever due to infection or other illnesses can cause febrile seizures. Children are more likely to experience febrile seizures than adults. Note that the occurrence of a febrile seizure in a child does not necessarily mean that the child has or will develop epilepsy.

How To Identify Your Seizure Triggers

Identifying your specific triggers is the first step in finding ways to avoid triggering seizures. Identifying what induces your seizures can also help you and your neurologist or other health care provider pinpoint your diagnosis and determine the best treatment for your situation.

To figure out what triggers you have, try keeping a journal of your seizures. If you are not able to keep a journal, ask a family member or caregiver to help you track your seizures. Journal entries could include:

  • The time and date of the seizure
  • Your physical location
  • What you were doing at the time
  • The dose and time of your last AED
  • What you had been eating and drinking, especially if it includes alcohol or caffeine
  • What other drugs or medications you had been taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and illicit substances
  • How much sleep you had
  • Your mood
  • If applicable, where you are in your menstrual cycle or the date of your last period

Make sure to note if you experience auras before your seizures. Auras can be visual disturbances, odd physical sensations, or emotions that you have before your seizure. In epilepsy, auras can be a type of seizure.

All of the information you gather about your seizures should be shared with your doctor or health care provider to help them determine what care is best for you.

How To Avoid Seizure Triggers

Once you know what triggers your seizures, you may be able to avoid those triggers or lessen their impact on you. Depending on the type of trigger, there are many ways to help prevent seizures.

1. Take Your Medication as Prescribed

Take your prescribed AED medication as directed, including taking the right dose at the right time. Do not adjust the dosage or stop taking any antiepileptic medication without consulting your doctor. Take steps to ensure that you take your medication regularly:

  • Use a pillbox to organize your medications by day and time.
  • Keep track of your doses using a calendar.
  • Set alarms for when to take your medicine.
  • Use an app that helps you stay organized.

2. Alleviate Stress

Controlling stress can be difficult, but managing stress is important for your health. You cannot always control what causes emotional or psychological stress, but you can identify stressors and work to reduce the negative impact these events can have on your life.

Coping strategies can include anything from meditation to exercise to ensuring your sleeping habits are in good shape. Seeking the help of a psychologist or other counselor is also beneficial for many people who need help dealing with stress and emotional difficulty in life.

3. Get Some Sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is important for proper brain function in all people and especially for those living with epilepsy. Maintaining good sleep hygiene can include keeping a regular schedule for going to bed and waking up, controlling pain that affects sleep, not reading or watching TV in bed, and avoiding caffeine as well as other stimulants, alcohol, and large meals before bedtime. Like taking your medication, getting the proper amount of sleep at the right time is important for controlling seizures.

4. Avoid Alcohol

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. If you’re dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice to avoid problems from alcohol withdrawal.

5. Avoid Caffeine, Nicotine, and Other Substances

Limiting or eliminating caffeine or nicotine intake can decrease your risk of seizures if those are triggers for you. Other drugs that trigger seizures, including recreational and illicit substances, should be avoided.

6. Avoid Flashing Lights

If you have photosensitive epilepsy, work with your doctor to determine what specific frequencies of flashing lights or types of patterns cause seizures. Your doctor may use a test called an electroencephalogram (also called an EEG) to make the determination.

If it’s not possible to avoid light triggers, you can sometimes lessen the risk of having a seizure by simply covering one eye.

7. Modify Eating Habits

A healthy diet contributes to a healthy body. Try to eliminate food triggers and eat better. You can prevent low blood sugar by eating regularly and avoiding foods that cause your body to produce more insulin.

Eating a ketogenic diet is another approach that may help control seizures, especially when antiepilepsy medication does not work. Adults and children with epilepsy may benefit from a ketogenic diet or a similarly restricted diet. However, consult your doctor before adopting a ketogenic diet. This is a very restrictive regimen and may not be appropriate for everyone with epilepsy.

8. Plan Around Your Menstrual Cycle

Using hormonal treatments, such as certain hormonal birth control methods, can help prevent seizure triggers by altering the normal menstrual cycle. Your doctor may also adjust your AED dose or add AED medications at specific times during your menstrual cycle to help prevent seizures.

9. Treat at the First Sign of Illness

It is not possible to simply avoid getting sick, but seeking medical treatment at the first sign of fever, infection, or other illness can help prevent seizures. Always check for medication interactions, including antibiotics.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyEpilepsyTeam is the online social network for people with epilepsy. On MyEpilepsyTeam, more than 122,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with epilepsy.

Do you know your seizure triggers? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyEpilepsyTeam.

Updated on August 1, 2024

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Welcome Anita try cranberry juice 🥤 don’t like the taste mix with 7up It’s 👍 good for your kidneys Keep up all your health appointments with your doctor 👩‍⚕️ use a pill. 📦

November 14
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy

I Am Scared Of What Is Happening To Me I Don't Want To Die Can Someone Give Me Some Advice On Living Healthy With Epilepsy Please

November 21, 2023 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 7 answers

Hello, Is There Any Chance That My Brain Can Heal Some Day????

November 29, 2023 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 3 answers

Can We Stop The Medication After 2 Years Without Observing Any Seizure?

March 11, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 5 answers

Can Eating Bananas Make Your Sugar Leave Drop

April 16, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 2 answers

Why Do Some Seizures Occur In Sleeping Periods Or As Some Of Us Wake Up?

April 20, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 6 answers

Dave, Thank You For Liking My Comment.

April 21, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 5 answers

Keto Diet Isn’t Always Good Either And Certain Meds Affect Your Salt Levels

April 24, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 6 answers

Can Someone Ever Lose Epilepsy For Good

April 29, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 5 answers

Does Anyone Have Light Sensitivity?

April 30, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 8 answers

Anyone Experience Absence Seizures?

June 10, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 8 answers

Is There Any Type Of Suggestions To Help Manage Seizures For A 13yr Old Girl?

June 13, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 6 answers

Those Who Drive, Do All The Flashing Lights In Construction Zones Bother You? I Live In Florida, So There Is Construction Always Going On!

July 1, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 10 answers

How Long To Recover From A Gran Mall?

July 4, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 43 answers

My Very 1st Was Low Sugar Related And O Feel Overly Tired As Well. My 2nd One Is The One I Don't Understand. I Went Out To Eat And Bam, Out

September 9, 2024 by A MyEpilepsyTeam Member 4 answers
Amit M. Shelat, D.O. is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and the American College of Physicians. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here.
Kristopher Bunting, M.D. studied chemistry and life sciences at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, and received his doctor of medicine degree from Tulane University. Learn more about him here.

Related Articles

Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures, which happen because of unusual electrical...

11 Types of Epilepsy and Their Symptoms

Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures, which happen because of unusual electrical...
The brain contains billions of nerve cells — called neurons — that communicate with one another b...

Can Seizures Cause Brain Damage? 4 Types That Pose a Risk

The brain contains billions of nerve cells — called neurons — that communicate with one another b...
Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures. It’s als...

Causes of Epilepsy

Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of neurological disorders that involve recurring seizures. It’s als...
Epilepsy is not one single condition. Rather, it is defined as a spectrum of disorders that invo...

Epilepsy – An Overview

Epilepsy is not one single condition. Rather, it is defined as a spectrum of disorders that invo...
How many hours per day do you and your loved ones spend looking at computer monitors, tablets, an...

Can Too Much Screen Time Cause Seizures?

How many hours per day do you and your loved ones spend looking at computer monitors, tablets, an...
For people with epilepsy, any illness — including ear infections — may raise the risk of seizure....

Can Ear Infections Cause Seizures?

For people with epilepsy, any illness — including ear infections — may raise the risk of seizure....

Recent Articles

Epilepsy is a group of brain disorders that cause seizures, which can start in any part of the b...

9 Types of Seizures and Their Symptoms

Epilepsy is a group of brain disorders that cause seizures, which can start in any part of the b...
There is at present no cure for epilepsy, although some people with epilepsy may go into remissio...

5 Epilepsy Treatment Options: Surgery and More

There is at present no cure for epilepsy, although some people with epilepsy may go into remissio...
Many people living with epilepsy also experience mental health challenges, and bipolar disorder i...

Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy: What’s the Connection?

Many people living with epilepsy also experience mental health challenges, and bipolar disorder i...
If your child is living with epilepsy, you might be presented with a lengthy list of treatment op...

5 Factors in Choosing Epilepsy Treatments for Your Child

If your child is living with epilepsy, you might be presented with a lengthy list of treatment op...
Parents, caregivers, and clinicians can help shape a child’s attitude about epilepsy from an ea...

The Epilepsy Transition to Adulthood: How To Help Your Child

Parents, caregivers, and clinicians can help shape a child’s attitude about epilepsy from an ea...
Here are four ways to save money on medications.

4 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Medication (VIDEO)

Here are four ways to save money on medications.

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: