The winter season presents its own set of problems for people suffering from epilepsy, which is characterized by recurrent seizures. With drops in temperature and changes in environmental conditions, several triggers can cause an increase in the occurrence and intensity of seizures. It is essential to comprehend these factors to manage epilepsy appropriately during the colder season.

Seasonal influences on seizures

In terms of epidemiology, temperature changes are indeed a critical factor influencing the seasonal manifestations of patients with epilepsy.

• People with epilepsy (PWE) have reported an increase in seizure frequency during cold weather. We can attribute this link to cold-induced seizures, which occur when patients experience a sudden, drastic change in temperature, typically due to exposure to cold water or air. A phenomenon known as cold-induced reflex epilepsy (CIRE), though rare, illustrates the effects of an environmental trigger on the seizure activity of a highly susceptible person. Besides, winter seasons prevail and are consistent with lowering atmospheric pressures and increasing humidity levels, which have further been shown to increase the occurrence of seizures.
• Research also supported that when atmospheric pressure is lower, the chances of seizure occurrence are even higher. Such statistical data serves to suggest that, indeed, weather conditions significantly impact the management of seizures for people with epilepsy.
• The prevalence of disease and fever is on the rise. Winter is a season when a significant number of people suffer from tonsillitis, colds, or flu, primarily due to an increase in respiratory infections. This further increases the chances of children with epilepsy having a fever, which is one of the known triggers of seizures. High fevers can trigger febrile seizures, which occur in healthy children, but this can also worsen the condition in existing patients with epilepsy. Neurologists emphasize the importance of managing these infections as early as possible to reduce the likelihood of seizures.
• Winter months have holiday celebrations and festivities that can be associated with increased stress and a change of lifestyle. Stress is a known factor that triggers seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Holiday seasons can be chaotic, leading to changes in normal patterns, fatigue, and lack of sleep, all of which can trigger seizures. More alcohol intake during festive gatherings will help raise the incidence of seizures, as it lowers and alters seizure thresholds.

Dietary Changes

• The winter season can also bring about a change in dietary habits. It is common during the Christmas season for people to binge eat a lot of food that is likely to raise blood sugar levels and hence health. Some patients with epilepsy are known to have seizures triggered by blood sugar changes. It is therefore important to eat wisely and control the intake of food during this period.

Managing seizure risks in the winter

• Medication Management:For epilepsy patients, it is important to keep in touch with their doctors during the winter seasons. Factors related to lifestyle or health during that period may require adjustments to certain medications. Neurologists provide guidance on the effective use of medications to reduce seizure risk.
• Awareness and precautions: Informing a patient’s family and friends about the actions they should take during a seizure is crucial. Many people would rather assist a person who has a seizure in ways that could be harmful to the person experiencing the seizure. Basic measures include ensuring the individual is not in danger, turning the individual to one side where possible, and noting down the duration of the seizure and the time for medical purposes without restraining the individual from the seizure or trying to insert anything into their mouth.
• Environmental Controls: Not everyone likes cold weather, including seizure sufferers. We recommend wearing thick clothes, avoiding sudden cold splashes of air or water, and exercising extra caution when going outdoors during extreme conditions to prevent cold-induced seizures.

Conclusion

For many, the winter season brings with it both joy and difficulties, including the impact of the environment on the body, an increased risk of illnesses, and various lifestyle factors that may heighten the likelihood of a seizure. However, people with epilepsy can navigate the winter period more effectively by understanding these triggers and utilizing effective compensatory mechanisms, such as making appropriate medication changes, altering daily routines, and being more alert to environmental conditions. Despite the growing number of studies exploring the connection between various weather phenomena and seizure occurrence, they consistently emphasize that individual circumstances dictate the need for multiple targeted therapeutic approaches.