Seizures happen when brain activity becomes abnormal, producing changes in awareness and muscle control. They can affect behaviour and the senses and witnessing one can be very distressing for both the person having the seizure and their loved ones. Because seizures have many causes, it can be hard to pin down risk factors and avoid them completely.

Working with a healthcare professional to identify the root cause of your seizures makes it much more likely that they can be treated and prevented effectively. Below, we explain what seizures are, common causes and symptoms, and practical steps to reduce the chance of future episodes.

What are seizures?

A seizure is a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes a range of symptoms. One common sign is convulsions and loss of consciousness. Not all seizures look the same though. Some may appear as brief staring spells. Others show up as involuntary arm jerks or muscle twitches.

There are two main types of seizures:

Generalised seizures
These begin with electrical activity on both sides of the brain at the same time. Symptoms can include shaking on one side, both sides, or simply stopping to stare into the distance. Generalised seizures are often seen in children and young adults, but they can occur at any age.

Focal seizures
These start in one part of the brain. Symptoms usually affect one side of the body, and awareness may remain intact, so you might remember the event. Focal activity can stay localised or spread across a wider area of the brain.

What causes a seizure?

Neurons, or nerve cells, communicate using electrical signals. During a seizure, some brain cells begin firing uncontrollably and trigger neighbouring cells, creating an overload of electrical activity that produces seizure symptoms.

Seizures may be provoked or unprovoked. Provoked seizures are triggered by a temporary condition or circumstance. Unprovoked seizures happen spontaneously and are more likely to indicate epilepsy. Some seizures are idiopathic, meaning no clear cause is found.

If you witness a seizure and are unsure what to do, read a trusted guide on how to help someone having a seizure so you are prepared.

Preventing seizures by avoiding triggers

A trigger is any factor that increases the chance of a seizure happening soon after exposure. Triggers vary widely between people. Many find keeping a seizure diary helpful. Recording what you were doing, eating, feeling or where you were at the time of an episode can reveal patterns over weeks or months.

Common triggers and how to avoid them:

Not taking medication properly
Many seizures are controlled with medication, but only when taken exactly as prescribed. Missing doses or taking medicine at inconsistent times causes drug levels to fluctuate and makes seizures more likely. This is one of the most common, and most avoidable, triggers.

Prevention tips: set phone alarms, pick a daily routine for medication, and use pill organisers or repeat prescriptions to avoid running out.

Alcohol use
Some people can have a drink or two without problems, but larger amounts of alcohol increase seizure risk, particularly during withdrawal. Alcohol can also disturb sleep and lead to missed medication doses.

Prevention tips: discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider. They can advise whether it is safe for you and how much, if any, is acceptable alongside your medication.

Poor sleep
Tiredness and disrupted sleep are common seizure triggers. One seizure can cause poor sleep, raising the risk of another and creating a cycle.

Prevention tips: practice good sleep hygiene. Turn off screens an hour before bed, adopt a calming bedtime routine like reading or gentle stretching, and prioritise consistent sleep times.

Recreational drug use
Illegal or unregulated substances can trigger seizures and interfere with medication or sleep.

Prevention tips: avoid illicit drugs and “legal highs.” If you are prescribed medicinal cannabis, discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.

Stress
Stress may trigger seizures for some people, possibly by disrupting routines, sleep and appetite.

Prevention tips: use stress management techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, regular exercise and structured schedules to reduce overall stress levels.

Flashing and flickering lights
Photosensitive epilepsy affects a minority, around 3 to 5 percent of people with epilepsy, and can be triggered by flashing or flickering light from screens or other sources.

Prevention tips: avoid known visual triggers, be cautious with online content or broadcasts that use strobe effects and take regular breaks from screens.

Illnesses that cause high temperatures
Fever, especially in children, can trigger febrile seizures. People with focal seizures may be more susceptible when they have a high temperature.

Prevention tips: practice good hygiene, keep distance from people who are ill, and treat fevers promptly with appropriate medication. Seek medical help if the temperature does not improve.

Lifestyle and environmental factors
Other factors that can influence seizure risk include:

• Regular exercise can help lower seizure frequency for many people.
  • Missing meals is a trigger for some.
  • Smoking and vaping may increase risk.
  • Some essential oils have been reported to cause seizures in sensitive individuals.
  • Caffeine affects people differently; some find it a trigger while others do not.
  • Weather changes and extreme temperatures have been noted by some people as possible triggers.

Seizure risk factors

Risk factors make seizures more likely over time. These include:

• An underlying neurological condition.
  • A family history of seizures.
  • Being under 18 years of age.
  • Being over 50 years of age.

You cannot change your age or genetics, but managing existing conditions and following medical advice can reduce future risk. In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe anti-seizure medication alongside lifestyle changes.

When is professional care required?

Many people with seizures live independently with effective management. However, issues can arise when cognitive decline, forgetfulness or confusion prevents someone from managing medication or avoiding triggers.

If seizures occur alongside a decline in cognitive health, it may be time to consider specialist neurological input and additional support at home. Live in care can be a strong option here, providing continuous assistance and monitoring while allowing the person to remain in familiar surroundings.

At Live in Solutions, we provide bespoke live-in care through trained, experienced carers. We can provide live-in-care, tailored to the level of assistance required. A matched carer can help with daily routines, maintain a trigger diary, manage exposure to known risks, and monitor for changes that require medical attention.

Talk to our team today

If your loved one needs live in care, talk to one of our friendly care team. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and we are happy to provide information and advice to help you find the right live-in-care solution.

Call us in confidence, no-obligation quotation on 01245 890 336.