Epilepsy and sports – Is that possible?
It is no longer a secret that sport has a positive effect on the body and the psyche. This is also true for epilepsy patients, as it not only keeps the body fit, but also reduces the risk of developing depression. In the past, it was assumed that there was an increased risk during sport, as the increased breathing frequency could trigger an epileptic seizure.
This fact has now been largely invalidated and it has been proven that many substances that accumulate in our body during sport, such as lactic acid in our muscles, actually inhibit the likelihood of a seizure. However, attention should be paid to the disease when choosing sports activities. For example, sports in which a sudden seizure can have dangerous consequences, such as diving or climbing, should be avoided. In addition, sports that involve a strong impact on the head, such as boxing, should be avoided. Apart from these exceptions, most sports can be done without hesitation.
Epilepsy and coffee
Like many other drugs, the caffeine in coffee has a stimulating effect on the nerve cells in the brain, which can have the effect of lowering the threshold for triggering a seizure, thus increasing the risk of developing a seizure. The extent to which coffee has this effect varies from person to person, apart from the dependence on the amount consumed. In general, as with alcohol, it is advised to keep the consumption of coffee as low as possible. However, if you have been drinking coffee all your life and your body is accustomed to it, it is advisable to continue drinking small quantities, as it is known that withdrawal can also trigger a seizure.
What are the long-term consequences of epilepsy?
Probably the most common long-term consequence of epilepsy is an increased risk of developing depression. It is now known that this increased risk is not only due to the seizures themselves, but that depression can be a direct result of brain damage, which then leads to symptomatic epilepsy. Thus, it is not the epilepsy that would cause the depression, but its underlying cause.
Another indirect long-term consequence of epilepsy is the side effects of drug therapy. These mainly include fatigue, mood swings and possible dependence. Fortunately, a very rare long-term consequence can be brain damage as a result of a long-lasting epileptic seizure. This is particularly the case in a so-called grand mal seizure that lasts longer than 30 minutes. Fortunately, nowadays this can often be prevented by a fast and effective therapy.
