Seizure Trigger Factors

According to the Neurology Channel, trigger factors don't necessarily cause epilepsy but might provoke a single seizure, even if your epilepsy is under control. The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, Australia, recommends keeping a seizure journal and jotting down any triggers that invoke a seizure. This idea might help you develop your own list of triggers.

Medication

• According to the Epilepsy Foundation, if you miss a dose of your anti-epileptic medication, you are at risk for provoking an epileptic episode. The longer you go without your prescription medicine, the more severe your seizures could become. The Neurology Channel also says that abruptly stopping and withdrawing from other prescription medication, such as antidepressants, painkillers, or Lithium, can also induce seizure activity in the brain and possibly an actual epileptic episode.

Alcohol

• The Epilepsy Foundation states that most epileptic patients can safely drink two alcoholic drinks at a time; for this purpose, an average drink equals a 100 ml of a glass of wine or a 285 ml mug of beer. However, the foundation cautions that some epilepsy suffers cannot handle that much alcohol because alcohol diminishes the effectiveness of your medication, and the interaction of the medication and alcohol makes you extra drowsy, affecting concentration and coordination. The foundation also states that when you drink too much, poor concentration leads to forgetting your medication and skipping meals, provoking a seizure.

Stress

• According to the Epilepsy Foundation, negative emotions such as intense worry and anger might trigger a seizure, particularly if you are so overwhelmed you are losing sleep about the issue. Physical stress issues like excessive vomiting and diarrhea might precipitate seizures. The organization suggests practicing relaxation therapy in addition to taking a yoga class or aerobics to decrease your stress level.

Menstruation

• According to the Epilepsy Foundation, some women experience catamenial epilepsy, having a seizure right before or during their period. This condition is triggered by an increase in hormone levels, fluid retention and a change in the blood levels of your medicine. If you exhibit these types of seizures, speak to your neurologist about changing your medication dose.

Phosensitivity

• According to the Epilepsy Foundation, some children suffer from reflex epilepsy. This condition involves the sensitivity to contrasting patterns, such as strobe lights, video games or the television screen. The foundation states that the flicker frequency and the distance you are away from the screen might determine how high the risk of triggering seizures is. The foundation also adds that you can decrease photo sensitivity seizures by wearing wraparound sunglasses to minimize glare.

Fever

• According to the Neurology Channel, 2 percent to 4 percent of United States children experience febrile seizures that are triggered by a high fever from infancy to 5 years old. The Pediatric Health Channel states that risk factors include running a fever above 102 Fahrenheit, which is often caused by frequent viral or bacterial infections such as influenza A or roseola. Simple febrile seizures last less than 15 minutes, occur all over the body and do not happen again within 24 hours, but complex febrile seizures last longer than 15 minutes, focus on a targeted area of the body and re-occur within 24 hours. The Pediatric Health channel states that although most children who have a febrile seizure do not develop epilepsy, those who have complex febrile seizures are at a slight risk.