Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain. It can cause convulsions and sudden bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy can also cause nerve pain. Some people with epilepsy need to take medication to control their seizures. While medication can help manage the symptoms of epilepsy, it’s important to avoid certain foods that can trigger convulsions or worsen symptoms. Here are foods to avoid if you have epilepsy:

1. Cookies and candy
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, it’s best to avoid cookies and candy. These snacks are high in sugar and other carbohydrates, which can increase seizure activity. It would be best to choose a snack low in sugar and carbohydrates. It is not worth taking your nerve pain medication when having these snacks since they contain sugar which can be counterproductive.

2. Salty snack foods
Chips, pretzels, and other salty snack foods can also trigger seizures. Salt causes your body to retain water, which can lead to convulsions. These foods are high in sodium and can cause a sudden spike in blood pressure. It is best to avoid salty foods and opt for healthier snacks like nuts and seeds. Even if you are taking anticonvulsant drugs that can help control convulsions, it is still important to be mindful of what you eat.

3. Tea or coffee
Caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee can increase your risk of seizure. The caffeine in these drinks can worsen your symptoms, like shaking, confusion, and irritability.

4. White bread
Most people don’t think about white bread as a trigger for seizures, but it can be. White bread is high in processed carbohydrates broken down quickly by the body, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. This can lead to an increase in convulsion activity.

5. Honey
Eating too much honey can also lead to convulsions. Be careful with how much honey you consume as it is high in fructose and other sugars. Try to stick to small amounts.

6. Sugary drinks
It is best to avoid drinks that are high in sugar, such as soda, energy drinks, and fruit juices. These beverages can raise your blood sugar levels very quickly, which can cause convulsions. A treatment option like the Midazolam injection should be taken if this is the case and other medications are not working.

There are many different medications available to treat epilepsy, but some people with epilepsy cannot take certain medications because they have side effects. Recently, the FDA approved a new drug to treat convulsions in adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. This drug is called Epidolex (Cannabidiol). Other medications used to treat epilepsy include Aptiom (Eslicarbazepine acetate), Vimpat (Lacosamide), Fycompa (Perampanel), Lyrica (Pregabalin), and Midazolam injection. Some anticonvulsant drugs can also be used to control convulsions. In addition to taking doctor-prescribed medications, making small changes to your diet can help manage the symptoms of epilepsy and reduce the risk of having a convulsion. Knowing which foods can trigger or worsen symptoms is important in managing your condition. Talk to your doctor about what other changes you can make to help manage your epilepsy.