Epilepsy: Triggers...

The diagnosis of epilepsy requires that the seizures be "unprovoked", with the implication that the trigger is assumed to be something obviously harmful. However, in some epilepsy syndromes the trigger can reasonably be considered to be part of normal daily life.

 Examples of these normal triggers include reading, hot water on the head, hyperventilation, and flashing or flickering lights. This last triggert is a special type of reflex epilepsy called photosensitive epilepsy. Although assumed to be a common trigger for epilepsy, amongst both patients and the public, only around 5% of people with epilepsy are affected by flickering lights.

Certain environmental factors can lead to an increased likelihood of seizures in someone with epilepsy or in certain syndromes. For example:

• being asleep
• the transition between sleep and wakefulness (hypnogogia)
• tiredness and sleep deprivation
• illness
• constipation
• menstruation
• stress or anxiety
• alcohol consumption