Seizures happen when an electrical misfiring in the brain causes symptoms which may range from a loss of consciousness to convulsions or sensory hallucinations. The condition epilepsy is diagnosed when a person experiences a pattern of recurring seizures. The levels of sodium in your blood can affect your seizure rate -- low blood sodium, in particular, can precipitate seizures. Consult your doctor for medical advice regarding diet and seizure control.
Low Blood Sodium
Low levels of sodium in your blood can precipitate a seizure, even if you do not have epilepsy. A case study published in September 2002 in the journal "The Physician and Sports Medicine" discusses a tonic-clonic seizure experienced by an otherwise healthy 20-year-old male. This man had been exercising in a humid and hot environment, and consumed almost six liters of water during a period of hours . It is believed that consuming a lot of water, and losing sodium through sweat, caused low blood sodium, which led to a seizure.
Anti-Epileptic Medications and Sodium Levels
Epileptic seizures are typically controlled medically with one of several prescription medications. One such anti-epileptic medication is oxcarbazepine, which is registered as Trileptal. Stanford Neurology doctors Maslah Saul and Robert Fisher indicate in their article "Overview of Epilepsy" that Trileptal can increase your body's water retention. Increased water retention dilutes the sodium in your blood, as the same quantity of sodium is diluted in a greater volume of water. Symptoms of low blood sodium include confusion and additional seizures.
Malignant Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, commonly manifests as a result of high sodium intake over time. The U.S. National Library of Medicine's online encyclopedia MedLine Plus indicates that a state of very high blood pressure known as malignant hypertension, can result from high salt or sodium intake. Malignant hypertension can cause seizures in some cases. If you are concerned about high blood sodium affecting your blood pressure and your seizure rate, a sensible upper sodium limit is 2.4 g per day.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a condition caused when levels of sodium in your blood suddenly become low. MedLine Plus indicates that hyponatremia can result from underlying medical conditions, or from water consumption during sports and exercise. Symptoms of hyponatremia include unusual fatigue, headache, vomiting or nausea. With your doctor's help, establish and maintain healthy and appropriate intake levels for both sodium and water. You should not attempt to self-diagnose the causes of seizures or changes in blood sodium levels.
Member Comments