Physical exercise is widely recognised for its numerous advantages, ranging from improving heart health to elevating psychological wellness. Yet many individuals prone to seizures worry about exercise-induced episodes, leading to unnecessary restrictions on their physical activity. Let’s delve into the intriguing connection between seizures and physical exercise.
Understanding Seizures
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in behaviour, movements, feelings and levels of consciousness.
The causes of seizures can vary from person to person. Here are some of them:
- Stress
- Abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood
- Brain infection, including meningitis and encephalitis
- Congenital brain defects
- Drug abuse
- Electric shock
- Epilepsy
- Fever
- Head injury
- Snakebites
- Stroke
Identifying specific triggers for seizures is crucial for effective management.Occasionally seizures can occur without any identifiable causes. Such seizures, called idiopathic seizures, typically manifest in children and young adults but can also occur at any age.
Physical Exercise & Seizures
Studies suggest that seizures triggered by physical exercise are rare. Moreover, physical activity is widely acknowledged as a complementary therapy to mitigate seizure susceptibility.
It is worth noting that the majority of the information suggesting that engaging in physical exercise triggers seizures is based on personal accounts except for a few studies that showed a rise in seizure-like episodes in individuals with epilepsy.
Benefits of Physical Exercise
Engaging in physical exercise does not just mean joining a gym or lifting heavy weights. Here are some simple and beneficial exercises:
- Regular aerobic exercise such as running, walking, cycling and swimming can significantly reduce the number of seizures.
- Stretching exercises release tension from the muscles, relax the body and reduce the chance of getting seizures.
How does physical exercise reduce seizure susceptibility?
The reasons why mild physical exercise reduces seizures are complex and involve a range of physiological and neurological processes. Let us explore the science of how physical exercise reduces seizure susceptibility.
- Neurotransmitter regulation: Physical exercise stimulates the release of endorphins that reduce stress and anxiety, key factors known to influence seizure occurrence.
- Stress reduction: Exercise regulates cortisol (stress hormone) and potentially controls seizures.
- Blood flow and oxygenation: Exercise enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, thereby preventing abnormal electrical activities that may trigger seizures.
- Hormonal balance: Exercise can help to control hormonal balance, contributing to seizure control, especially in cases triggered by hormonal changes.
Although positive effects have been observed after exercise programmes, some reported risk factors that trigger seizures in individuals with a previous history of the condition are as follows:
- Prolonged exercise under high temperatures causes hyperthermia and hypoglycaemia, which may trigger seizures.
- Rigorous anaerobic exercise (such as weight lighting and skipping) can cause hypoxia, which is a risk factor for seizure susceptibility.
- Psychological stress, which may be experienced during competitive sports, has the potential to eventually trigger seizures.
Conclusion
Despite the potential risk of seizures, the benefits of regular physical activity for individuals with seizures should not be overlooked. Striking a balance between the positive effects of exercise and the potential risks requires careful consideration for an individual with a history of seizures to lead an active lifestyle.
-Content partner Happiest Health
