Foods and allergens to avoid for managing seizures
People with specific underlying health conditions experience seizures when there are disturbances in the electrical activity of their brains. Some indicators of a seizure are shaking, twitching, confusion, random pain, blank stares, changes in heart rate and breathing, stiffness throughout the body, repeated or automatic movements, abrupt changes in sensations, and persistent depression and anxiety. One can manage their seizures and even reduce their occurrence by avoiding some of the following foods and allergens:
Coffee
Caffeine is a common element in energy drinks, coffee, tea, and various beverages. People usually consume caffeine to keep themselves awake and going throughout the day. Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can also trigger seizures in some individuals. This is why doctors advise someone with epilepsy or other seizure-related health conditions to consume moderate to zero amounts of tea or coffee in a day.
Salt
Salt is made up of sodium, an element that is not healthy for one’s body. An accumulation of sodium in one’s blood causes the water in the cells to transfer into the blood. If this happens frequently, then a person’s blood gets diluted. A build-up of fluids within a person’s blood can trigger seizures. The fluid shift and build-up of water in a person’s blood can also lead to issues like lung disorders, coma, and even death.
Chocolate
Foods such as tea, coffee, and chocolate rapidly increase the sugar levels in a person’s blood. By doing so, they change the body’s metabolism to a great extent. In many instances, seizures are triggered when the body’s metabolism changes. However, on the flip side, many seizures also take place when blood sugar is low in individuals. Therefore, before consuming or cutting out any kind of sugar from one’s daily meals, individuals vulnerable to seizures must consult their healthcare expert immediately.
Tree pollen
Seasonal allergens have been medically known to trigger seizures in individuals. Tree pollen is one such allergen that causes allergies and also holds the possibility of causing seizures in people with epileptic issues.
Air pollutants
Pollutants such as particulates and dust can affect one’s brain’s electrical activity and cause seizures. Therefore, many healthcare experts advise people prone to seizures to avoid air pollutants at all costs.
