Seizures occur when a brain's activity becomes abnormal. They may cause a person to suddenly lose control of their body or suffer convulsions.
Drinking alcohol can be a risk factor for seizures, but only in extreme cases. This is because it interferes with neuron communication.
When used in moderation, alcohol is an effective sedative. It binds to GABA receptors, a chemical that helps slow down activity in the brain so you can sleep and relax.
However, if you drink too much in one sitting or over a long period of time, alcohol can cause a variety of problems. This is why it’s important to seek help if you or a loved one are struggling with alcoholism.
When an alcoholic stops drinking, they will often experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be severe, but they will usually pass quickly if you seek professional help and treatment.
Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it affects the central nervous system, which sends messages throughout the body. This can cause the brain to change how it receives these messages as your body adjusts to having alcohol regularly in your bloodstream.
When you stop drinking, your central nervous system tries to re-adjust itself to normal. This may result in the occurrence of seizures.
In severe cases, they can last longer than 5 minutes and reoccur; this is a medical emergency and can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
If someone you know has an alcoholic seizure, call 911 immediately. Keep them in a safe position and protect their airway while waiting for medical help to arrive.
When your brain experiences a seizure, electrical synapses suddenly start firing uncontrollably. This can result in a wide range of symptoms and effects.
A seizure may last up to 5 minutes. Seizures that last more than that are considered status epilepticus and require medical assistance.
People who are experiencing a seizure should stay calm and take steps to protect themselves from injury while they wait for medical help. Place something soft or flat under their head and remove any eyeglasses they wear.
If you suspect someone else is having a seizure, call 911 immediately to request emergency medical help. It’s also important to stay with them until the seizures stop.
It’s important to record information about the time, location, symptoms and how long the seizure lasted. This can help you and your doctor make a diagnosis. It’s also helpful to have input from any other people who witnessed the seizure, such as a family member or friend.
A person experiencing an alcoholic seizure may feel like they are losing consciousness. They can also experience tremors, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and rapid heart rates.
Seizures are not typically fatal, but they can cause brain damage in several ways. They can also make it difficult for people to get the oxygen they need to survive.
They can also cause people to fall and break their necks or head. This is a very serious situation and can lead to permanent injury or death.
Alcohol withdrawal seizures are one of the most common symptoms that alcohol abusers experience during withdrawal from a chronic alcohol use disorder (AUD). They often occur within six to 48 hours after abstinence, and up to half of these cases will lead to recurrent seizures.
