Seizures
Seizures can be caused by various conditions, from epilepsy to head injuries. When the electrolyte levels are below the normal range, it can also cause severe problems, including seizures.
Seizures are incidents where there is an abnormal, disorderly firing of neurons. Several factors can contribute to the development of seizures, including electrolyte imbalances.
This can cause changes in behavior, consciousness, and movement. In addition, a decrease in certain electrolytes, such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium, can cause seizures due to a combination of processes.
People with low sodium levels are at a greater risk of developing seizures because their bodies cannot regulate neuron activity. Low sodium levels cause neurons to fire more frequently and at a higher rate, leading to seizure activity.
Calcium acts as an antagonist to sodium, and when levels are low, it decreases gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits neuronal activity. So, when calcium levels are low and not working properly, we see an increase in the frequency of seizures.
Like calcium, magnesium also antagonizes sodium, but it indirectly affects gamma-aminobutyric acid function. When magnesium levels are low, gamma-aminobutyric acid cannot work correctly, resulting in acute seizure attacks.
