Which of the following are potential seizure triggers?

• A. Exercise and hydration
• B. Abrupt withdrawal from medication, constipation, fatigue, fever, and sensory triggers
• C. Balanced diet and regular sleep
• D. Exposure to cold weather and altitudes

Answer: (B)

Seizure triggers are factors that lower the brain’s threshold for abnormal electrical activity in someone who is susceptible to seizures. Abrupt withdrawal from anti-seizure medication removes stabilizing effects quickly, which can lead to rebound hyperexcitability and a seizure. Fever increases metabolic demands and can destabilize neural activity, making seizures more likely in those prone to them. Fatigue reduces alertness and can lower the threshold for seizures, especially with sleep disruption. Constipation can contribute to metabolic or autonomic changes such as dehydration or electrolyte shifts, which can tip the balance toward seizures in some individuals. Sensory triggers, including certain visual or other sensory stimuli, can provoke seizures in people who are photosensitive or have certain epilepsy syndromes.

Other options tend to reflect factors that help reduce risk (like adequate sleep, diet, hydration) or are less consistently linked to seizure precipitation, so they’re not as reliable as a compilation of known triggers.