Seizure disorder, also known as epilepsy, describes a condition characterized by the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures, as described by the Epilepsy Foundation. The brain controls the muscles and nerves throughout the body by sending and receiving electrical impulses. A seizure occurs when the normal electrical activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing brain dysfunction. Because seizure disorder occurs in the brain, factors, including stress, can influence the frequency of seizures.
Causes
Conditions that irritate or cause stress on the brain can cause seizures. This includes head injuries, stroke, medications, infections, tumors and fever. These conditions can deprive the brain of oxygen, which can interfere with normal electrical impulses. Although rare, flashing lights or repetitive sounds can trigger a seizure. Most people who suffer from seizure disorder, however, experience seizures without an identifiable reason, according to the Merck Manual.
Stress Response
Although stress seems like an everyday occurrence, it does affect the body, triggering a chemical reaction that can lead to physical symptoms. Stress stimulates the body's sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the adrenal glands, two small glands located above each kidney, to increase the production of hormones. The adrenal glands produce many different hormones, but those secreted by the adrenal medulla, the middle portion of the adrenal glands, can affect the electrical impulses in the brain.
Hormones
The adrenal medulla produces hormones classified as catecholamines. Catecholamines also act as neurotransmitters, which help conduct the electrical impulses to and from the brain. These hormones produced in response to stress, including adrenalin and noradrenalin, also known as epinephrine and norepinephrine, bind to receptors throughout the body. A sudden surge in these hormones can disrupt electrical impulses and increase the likelihood of a seizure. The Merck Manual reports that both physical and emotional stress can contribute to the onset of a seizure.
Diagnosis
Doctors can often diagnose a seizure disorder based on symptoms alone. Seizure symptoms, which include a loss of consciousness, muscle spasms, loss of bladder control, sudden confusion and the inability to pay attention, alert doctors to the possibility of seizure disorder. Stress can also produce physical symptoms, including headache, high blood pressure, sleep problems, chest pain and back pain. Knowing the events that led up to a seizure can also help doctors make a diagnosis.
Seizure Treatment
Although stress alone does not usually cause a seizure, it can contribute to its occurrence, especially in those with seizure disorder. Therefore, those who suffer from seizures can benefit from relaxation therapy to enhance their medical treatments, which usually include taking anticonvulsant medications to reduce the risk of seizures. Anticonvulsant medications prevent seizure in about one-third of patients and reduce the frequency of seizures in another one-third of patients, according to the Merck Manual.
