Eco-Epilepsy: Why Climate Change Matters for Epilepsy

You might be wondering, "What's the link between epilepsy and climate change?" Well, it's a connection that's more significant than you might think. In this blog post, I'll shine some light on the intriguing relationship between the climate crisis and seizures. Brace yourself; it might not be the cheeriest read, but it's an essential one.

Climate Change and Health

We all know that weather can influence our health. The sun brings sunburn and heatstroke during the summer, while winter ushers in the flu and slip-and-fall injuries. As climate change continues, its impact on extreme weather events is likely to affect our well-being significantly. However, it won't affect everyone equally. Factors like where you live, your income, your pre-existing health conditions, and your access to resources will all determine how climate change impacts your health. Here's what we could expect:

1. Direct effects, such as increased mortality during heatwaves.

2. Indirect effects, like changing seasons affecting pollen (allergies) and mosquitoes (malaria).

3. Effects stemming from economic and social disruption, like hunger due to poor crop yields, flooding causing mental health issues, and an increase in water-borne diseases. There's also a risk of worsening pre-existing medical conditions due to disrupted access to medicines and hospitals.

Impact of Climate Change on Epilepsy

As the climate continues to evolve, it will have specific implications for epilepsy. Alarmingly, approximately 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries, making them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Here are some key ways in which climate change can affect epilepsy:

1. Vector-Borne Infections: Certain infections, like Zika, malaria, and Chikungunya, can cause epilepsy or seizures. Many of these infections are spread by disease vectors, such as mosquitoes. If climate change leads to conditions that increase the number of these vectors, we could see outbreaks of illnesses that overwhelm healthcare services.

2. Genetic Epilepsies: Temperature can affect genes and proteins, and in some cases, it can lead to more seizures. For example, individuals with Dravet Syndrome experience increased seizures during sustained high temperatures.

3. Overheating as a Trigger: Overheating is often a trigger for seizures, especially in non-genetic epilepsies. While there haven't been extensive human studies on this topic, it's a common anecdotal experience among people with epilepsy.

4. Stress as a Trigger: Stress is a well-known seizure trigger, and climate change is expected to increase stress levels for everyone, particularly young people who already suffer from climate change anxiety. Disruptions in medication supply lines and hospital treatments can compound this stress.

5. Air Pollution and Hospital Visits: Emerging evidence from China and Chile suggests that increased air pollutants and, possibly, air humidity are associated with higher hospital visits for epilepsy.

6. Head Injuries: Rising global conflicts can lead to more head injuries, which is another significant cause of epilepsy.

What Can We Do?

• Take ownership of what's within our control and make changes to reduce our carbon footprint.

• Raise awareness about the impact of climate change on epilepsy.

• Avoid falling into a state of inaction; every small effort counts towards addressing this critical issue.

Author Bio:

Dr Emily Shah is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in Neuropsychology. She works in the NHS and in private practice, offering in-person appointments in North-West England and online consultations across the UK.