I had epilepsy for many years, still taking medication to control the disease. I like to drink coffee to relax but worry about disease effects. Consult a doctor (Huynh Hiep, HCMC)
Reply:
The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, widely used in the world. It is not known whether drinking coffee causes seizures in people with epilepsy.
First, some of the current research suggests that caffeine can affect adenosine receptors A1 and A2 (the stimulant of whole neurons). This may be responsible for the repetitive overactivity of the neurons, making the seizures occur and repeat more often.
Second, some clinical trials have shown that caffeine may decrease the effectiveness of certain seizure medications (used alone or in combination with other drugs to prevent and control seizures).
Although the impact of foods in general on seizures is still in need of further research. However, eating foods containing CNS stimulants may increase the excitability of the epileptic area. Thus, in your case, you should not use a lot of coffee or other foods and drinks containing caffeine. Limiting caffeine may be one of the things you need to do to prevent and control seizures.
Epilepsy patients should limit drinking coffee because it contains caffeine. Image: Freepik
Epilepsy is a chronic disease caused by abnormalities in the brain that lead to simultaneous excitation of neurons of the cerebral cortex, causing sudden and uncontrolled electrical discharges. The stimulation of the cerebral cortex in different regions can cause different manifestations such as convulsions, sudden absence of consciousness, spasticity of the limbs, etc. You should follow the course of treatment of the neurologist and use drugs or surgery when necessary.
Dr. Tran Thi Tra Phuong
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System
