Alcohol and Seizures Can Alcohol or Withdrawal Trigger a Seizure?
Abnormally low blood sugar levels can lead to seizures, and this drop normally occurs at the same time as a hangover, causing people to connect the hangover with the seizure. Hangovers do not generally increase the risk of seizures, but they can play a role in seizures occurring. The greatest risk of a seizure during a hangover is not due to the hangover itself but to the long-term blood sugar effects of alcohol. Alcohol causes an initial spike in blood sugar levels, followed by a drop below normal levels for the next 12 hours.
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A thorough medical evaluation is essential to assess the individual’s overall health, identify any underlying conditions, and determine the appropriate course of treatment. This evaluation may involve physical examinations, laboratory tests, and neurological assessments. This abnormal activity can lead to a phenomenon called excitotoxicity, where there is a disproportionate release of neurotransmitters (such as glutamate) that can cause damage to brain cells. During this phase, you may remain unconscious or gradually regain consciousness. Confusion, disorientation, fatigue, and headache are common during this phase.
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Alcoholism can cause seizures by affecting the way nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other, leading to abnormalities in electrical activity that can trigger uncontrolled muscle spasms or other seizure-like symptoms. For someone with alcohol use disorder, the risk of alcohol-related seizures is reduced while alcohol levels are high, but the risk increases as alcohol is metabolized and withdrawal sets in. This process can lead to a phenomenon called “rebound, ” where the brain enters a hyperexcitable state as seizure suppression is removed and subsequent seizure activity occurs. Even in the 1960s, seizures during alcohol withdrawal were known as “rum fits.” The risk for seizures during withdrawal is correlated to the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed. While other mechanisms of alcohol-related seizures are less clear, reduced blood sugar levels and altered levels of ions in the brain are potential causes.
Key Symptoms
Withdrawal is something that happens when your body has become dependent on the presence of drugs or alcohol. When you suddenly stop using that substance, your body goes through withdrawal symptoms as it adjusts to the absence of the addictive substance; this is why alcohol and seizures have a relationship with one another. If you are dependent on alcohol, it’s important to participate in a medically supervised detox program, which can help alleviate the risks of the situation. There are no well-documented cases where an alcohol seizure was established as the cause of death in a person with a history of long-term alcohol abuse. However, severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be life-threatening due to complications such as seizures and delirium tremens (DTs).
Risk Factors
Stock and colleagues completed a randomized, double-blind controlled study in an outpatient setting where gabapentin was compared with chlordiazepoxide in alcohol withdrawal seizure 26 veterans (25 males and one female) with mild-to-moderate AWS 42. There were no significant differences in AWS symptoms by medication; however, those in the gabapentin group reported decreased daytime sleepiness compared with those who received chlordiazepoxide. As a class, NBACs are neuroinhibitory through GABAergic or glutamatergic mechanisms or effects on other classes of ion channels 14. This expert narrative review summarizes the scientific evidence for the use of NBACs for the treatment of the AWS and AUD. Alcohol withdrawal seizures (delirium tremens) occur when the body undergoes severe and unexpected nervous system changes after an alcohol-dependent person stops drinking. Withdrawal occurs when a person drinks large quantities of alcohol for a period of time and then suddenly stops or reduces their intake.
- This is a major concern, as approximately 37 percent of individuals with untreated delirium tremens die.
- A person with epilepsy should speak with their doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume with their condition.
- This guide will explain the causes, risk factors, and how alcohol impacts brain activity, leading to seizures.
Treating alcohol seizures often involves addressing underlying alcohol-related problems, such as alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder (AUD). This may involve various interventions, including counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, and substance abuse treatment programs tailored to the individual’s needs. In cases of alcohol withdrawal seizures, some medicines may be suggested to manage the acute Drug rehabilitation seizure episode and prevent further seizures.
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- These changes have a kindling effect, meaning they act as a kindle and trigger seizures during subsequent withdrawal episodes.
- In severe cases, seizures can last more than five minutes or reoccur repeatedly; this is a dangerous condition called status epilepticus.
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Of people who attend AA, 44% of those who remain free of alcohol for one year probably will remain abstinent for another year. This figure increases to 91% for those who have remained abstinent and have attended AA for five years or more. Alcohol withdrawal is common, but delirium tremens only occurs in 5% of people who have alcohol withdrawal. Commonly used medicines in this group include chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and lorazepam (Ativan). Some doctors prefer phenobarbital over benzodiazepines to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.