There are many types of seizures, all of which stem from a kind of electrical storm in the brain. Symptoms of a seizure can include convulsions and sensory hallucinations. If you experience recurring seizures, you probably have some form of epilepsy. Levels of salt, or sodium, in your blood may affect your seizure patterns. Low-blood sodium is a particular concern. Consult your doctor for medical advice regarding seizure control.
Anti-Seizure Medications and Blood Sodium
The anti-epileptic medication oxcarbazepine can reduce your blood-sodium levels over time. In the article "Overview of Epilepsy," Drs. Robert Fisher and Maslah Saul of Stanford Neurology in Stanford, California, indicated that the registered version of oxcarbazepine, Trileptal, could dilute blood sodium by increasing water retention. Significantly lowered blood-sodium levels can cause a person with epilepsy to feel confused. Ironically, the lowered-sodium caused by the anti-seizure medication can contribute to seizures.
Exercise, Heat, Sodium and Seizures
An article in the September 2002 issue of the journal "The Physician and Sports Medicine" details a case study of a 20-year-old man's experience of tonic-clonic seizure that occurred after he exercised in a hot and humid environment. The man had consumed nearly six liters of water, which diluted the salt in his blood. Low sodium levels were established as the cause of this seizure.
High-Blood Pressure
According to the online medical encyclopedia MedLine Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, seizures can be caused by very high-blood pressure, also known as malignant hypertension. For many people, high-blood pressure is linked to high sodium intake. If you have high-blood pressure and think it's increasing the number of seizures you experience, reduce your sodium intake to less than 2.4 g daily.
Prevention/Solution
A condition called hyponatremia can occasionally develop. Blood-sodium levels can dip precipitously for reasons ranging from an underlying medical condition to excessive water intake during endurance sports, according to the Mayo Clinic website. If you have epilepsy, seek medical care if you have any symptoms, which can include nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue and convulsions. Treatment is usually aimed at resolving the underlying condition, according to the Mayo Clinic website. But intravenous fluids and medications may be needed.
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