Triggers can make it more likely to have a seizure, but they do not actually cause seizures. The most common triggers are stress and not taking epilepsy medications. A trigger may not result in having a seizure every time, but knowing your individual triggers can help a person with epilepsy know when a seizure may be coming. Typical triggers, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, include:
- Specific time of day or night
- Sleep deprivation – overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep
- At times of fevers or other illnesses
- Flashing bright lights or patterns
- Alcohol or drug use
- Stress
- Associated with menstrual cycle (women) or other hormonal changes
- Not eating well, low blood sugar
- Specific foods, excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures
- Use of certain medications