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EPILEPSY AND ALCOHOL
by Epilepsy Association of Scotland
Drinking alcohol in moderation can be an enjoyable experience. A pint of
beer can satisfy a genuine thirst, while a glass of wine can be a welcome
relaxant after a hard day's work. Going to the pub means contact with friends,
and social life is important for everyone.
However, anyone who drinks alcohol must have a responsible attitude to it if
they are to avoid the often serious health and social problems which can result
from alcohol misuse. The person with epilepsy may require to take more care
than others if drinking alcohol. There are good reasons for this:
- alcohol can interfere with anti-epileptic drugs, and can prevent them from
reaching levels in the bloodstream necessary to control seizures
- large amounts of any liquid (including beer and cider) can trigger seizures
in a person with epilepsy
- heavy drinking is often associated with late nights, missed meals, and
forgotten tablets, all likely to increase the risk of a seizure
Medical opinion about whether a person with epilepsy should drink alcohol
varies. Some doctors recommend that it should be avoided at all times, while
others say that a moderate amount in most cases will do no harm. This is an
individual decision to be taken in the light of professional advice and the
individual's wishes.
It is important to bear in mind that a person taking drugs which act on the
brain is likely to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than other
people. This means that rather less than the recommended amounts might affect
their competence for activities such as driving. It is possibly best for the
person with epilepsy not to drink any alcohol before driving. At other times,
consumption of alcohol should be carefully monitored.
Moderate drinking
Moderate drinking can mean different things to different people, and the
borderline between "social" drinking and "problem" drinking
can be very obscure indeed. A useful guideline for those in good health is that
moderate drinking means the consumption in any one day of up to:
- men two pints of beer, or four single spirits, or half a standard size
bottle of wine
- women one pint of beer, or two single spirits, or a quarter of a standard
size bottle of wine
Most people with epilepsy choose to drink considerably less than these
recommended limits. Many prefer to drink no alcohol at all.
Alcohol abuse
Excessive drinking over a long period may result in temporary or permanent
brain damage, which in turn can increase the risk of many conditions, including
epilepsy. One in five men, and one in ten women over the age of 25 years who
have alcohol related problems experience epileptic seizures. In most cases the
seizures result from the withdrawal of alcohol after an intense bout of
drinking. Hospital tests usually show no sign of abnormal brain activity, and
the seizures are unlikely to recur if the person gives up drinking completely.
In some cases of severe and prolonged alcohol abuse, established epilepsy
develops as a result of brain damage, caused either by the direct effects of
alcohol on the brain, or head injuries sustained while drunk. In such cases,
hospital tests will usually reveal abnormal brain activity, which often remains
even though alcohol is no longer consumed.
Some people experience epileptic seizures which are unconnected with their
problem drinking. These are people who would have developed epilepsy anyway,
regardless of their other problem. In a few people, alcohol problems may
develop after the onset of epilepsy. This may be the result of alcohol being
used as an escape from difficulties experienced with (for example) personal
relationships and employment.
Responsibility
In our society, alcohol is often a symbol of sociability and hospitality. If
the person with epilepsy is to have as full and rewarding a social life as
possible, it is essential that a responsible attitude to the taking of alcohol
is maintained.
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