Seizure Triggers
To learn, to understand, and to develop a plan on how to deal with your Triggers which may bring on seizures is a step in the right direction. Keeping track of them and sharing this information with family and friends can be a positive experience.
Their understanding of the Triggers which may bring on a seizure for you can allow them to be part of the overall plan to keep you seizure free.
And by making your friends and family aware of your Triggers you won't feel obligated or discriminated against when you have to reject something they want you to do. They will realize that the refusal of a ‘grapefruit drink’ or not being able to accompany them to a concert, which could be noisy and busy, is no reflection on your wish not to be compliant and will then not make a big deal out of it. When you share the information with them that some of these issues are what can trigger a seizure for you they can then assist you by making sure that your tolerance level is met when partaking in certain activities
We are all learning daily and so our understanding of seizure triggers increases.
Causes and Effects
There is sometimes a ‘cause’ for Epilepsy, and then there are ‘triggers’ which can affect a seizure. These two can sometimes be difficult to separate in your mind. A cause can be because of a difficult birth, a severe head injury at some time in your life, a stroke (this can be a cause because during a stroke the brain does not receive the required oxygen it needs), meningitis or a tumor in the brain. And then there are also many times when the actual cause is just not known. These types of seizures are generally known as Idiopathic Seizures.
What is a Trigger?
A trigger is something that when it is provoked it may cause a seizure in the person who has Epilepsy. Not everyone’s trigger is the same and not every seizure is the same. It all depends on your seizure threshold. Whatever your threshold is at the present moment, it may only take one small thing such as the brushing of your teeth (especially with an electric toothbrush) to trigger that seizure. At other times it may take many of these triggers combined before a seizure occurs. It is worthwhile to note too, that not all Seizures need something to “Trigger” them. It seems sometimes that they just happen ……… seemingly out of nowhere.
How do we know what our Triggers are?
To best way to be able to recognize and understand what our triggers are, and how they can affect seizure activity, is to keep a day to day Diary to show you what is going on in your life. In that diary you would keep track of places you have been to, what foods were eaten that day by you or anything else consumed that may have been out of the ordinary, as well keeping records of each seizure experienced. Some suggestions for headings that may be useful are:
. The time of day that the seizure took place
. What you were doing and where you were when the seizure occurred
. What type of seizure it was
. And how you reacted
. If there was anyone with you (as they may help you by noticing for instance what side or part of your body convulsed)
.How long did the actual Seizure last? Noting that the timing starts from when the person starts shaking and then stops, and when the gasp for air takes place. (This is for a Grand Mal Seizure).
. Did you fall sleep afterwards and did you suffer from any after effects.
. Did you need any medical attention and how was that handled.
. Was there anything in your Diary specifically about this day that could have been the Trigger for this seizure
Other ways of keeping track of your Triggers
You can easily keep track of all your Triggers and Seizures in a simple file at home, make up one that you can relate to, or you may like to download an excellent system for "Tracking Seizures and Keeping Records" available from the following website - http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/epilepsyf/info/seizureRecord.html You can use this record system as a template and add your own ideas. Keep this record updated or ask a family member or friend to help keep accurate entries as this record can be a valuable tool for your Doctors to chart your progress, and will assist them in knowing where to make medication adjustments or other changes if necessary.
Alternatively you can follow the link http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/info/leaflets/page.cfm and find other record keeping ideas there.
Why you should keep track of your Triggers
Please keep in mind the importance of knowing what your Triggers are and how to recognize the type of seizure you have had. To put it simply, if you are planning to go on a diet and trying your best to lose weight, you do what the diet says to do today and then by not following it tomorrow then of course that diet is not going to work. It is not the fault of the diet, it is merely you did not follow it and did not do your due diligence in doing so. A total change of lifestyle is sometimes needed to address your Triggers but the rewards may be a better quality of life for you with reduced Seizures.
Your Doctor and/or Neurologist can do everything in their power, give you the proper medications, do the necessary and comprehensive tests and surgery, but should you not follow your daily lifestyle plan and take due care to avoid your Triggers then a Seizure is liable to surprise you somewhere.
If you have noticed any particular Triggers that provoked a seizure in you, we would appreciate hearing from you about them. Tell us of how you came to recognize your Triggers and how it helped you to be aware of them.
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