are diabetics more likely to have seizures

are diabetics more likely to have seizures

Why do diabetic seizures happen?

A diabetic seizure occurs when the sugar levels in the blood are extremely low (below 30 mg/dL). The brain needs glucose to function properly. When there is a drop in blood sugar, the actions of the neurons in the brain decrease and the person experiences a seizure.

Can blood sugar levels cause seizures?

Abnormal glucose levels, whether too high or too low, can cause seizures. The problem is especially pertinent to individuals with diabetes, whose blood glucose levels can fluctuate widely over the course of a day, as a result of intercurrent illness, variations in insulin levels, or other metabolic factors.

Do diabetic seizures cause brain damage?

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can trigger a diabetic coma, which causes life-threatening brain damage if left untreated. In addition, extremely low blood sugar can cause a diabetic seizure, which can also result in brain damage.

What happens after a diabetic seizure?

People experiencing hypoglycemia often experience headaches, dizziness, sweating, shaking, and a feeling of anxiety. When a person experiences diabetic shock, or severe hypoglycemia, they may lose consciousness, have trouble speaking, and experience double vision.

How can seizures start?

Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.

Can too much sugar trigger a seizure?

Many seizures take place when blood sugar is low. Stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, excess salt, spices and animal proteins may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body’s metabolism.

What is the most common cause of seizures?

The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy. But not every person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may be caused or triggered by: High fever, which can be associated with an infection such as meningitis.

Can dehydration cause a seizure?

Seizures can result from severe imbalances in electrolytes due to dehydration. Dehydration can reduce the amount of blood in the body, which can put strain on the heart and cause shock.

Can you feel a seizure coming on?

Some people may experience feelings, sensations, or changes in behavior hours or days before a seizure. These feelings are generally not part of the seizure, but may warn a person that a seizure may come.

Can untreated diabetes cause seizures?

Although it’s a common complication of diabetes, hyperglycemia can happen to anyone. If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to hyperglycemia-related seizures.

What foods prevent seizures?

A low glycemic index diet focuses on foods with a low glycemic index, meaning they affect blood glucose levels slowly, if at all. Although it’s not understood why, low blood glucose levels control seizures in some people. Foods on this diet include meat, cheese, and most high-fiber vegetables.

What is the best vitamin for epilepsy?

Nutrients that may reduce seizure frequency include vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese, taurine, dimethylglycine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Administration of thiamine may improve cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.

What’s the worst type of seizure?

A grand mal seizure causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It’s the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures. A grand mal seizure — also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain.

Can stress cause seizures?

Emotional stress also can lead to seizures. Emotional stress is usually related to a situation or event that has personal meaning to you. It may be a situation in which you feel a loss of control. In particular, the kind of emotional stress that leads to most seizures is worry or fear.

What is the difference between a seizure and epilepsy?

A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.

Can you suddenly develop epilepsy?

The most common causes of new onset seizures in adults are structural changes in the brain (for example, stroke, tumor, or brain injury) and infection of the brain. In about 60% of people we don’t know the exact cause of epilepsy.

Does drinking water help with seizures?

Drinking water helps us to function and concentrate, and reduces the risk of seizures triggered by dehydration.

Can low blood sugar cause seizures?

The brain needs blood glucose to function. Not enough glucose can impair the brain’s ability to function. Severe or long-lasting hypoglycemia may cause seizures and serious brain injury.

Does drinking water help epilepsy?

In the hazards of living department: Individuals with epilepsy must be wary of consuming large amounts of water or risk increasing their chance of developing seizures. Excessive water intake is a known trigger for seizures and individuals with seizure disorders may be particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon.

Can you fight off a seizure?

In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by sniffing a strong odor, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor’s approval) may help prevent an attack.