Epilepsy Talk

Possible Causes for Epilepsy and Seizures | February 5, 2010

While there are about 40 different kinds of epilepsy, there are probably even more types of seizure disorders — caused by a number of internal and external events. However, most doctors and publications agree upon a number of possible or even probable reasons for these seizures. Here are just a few of them…

Prenatal Injuries
In a fetus, the developing brain is susceptible to prenatal injuries that may occur if the pregnant mother has an infection, doesn’t eat properly, smokes or abuses drugs or alcohol.

Childbirth
It can be either an injury to the mother caused by childbirth, a congenital abnormality or perinatal injury.

Head Injury
If the head injury is severe, seizures may not begin until years later. If the injury is mild, the risk is slight.

Degenerative Diseases
A disease like cancer reduces the structure or function of tissues. Therefore tumors, whether malignant or benign, can be associated with seizures. The location of the lesion influences the risk.

Stroke
Heart attacks and other conditions, like strokes, affect the blood supply and oxygen to the brain and can lead to seizures.

Metabolic Disturbances
Disorders that change levels of various metabolic substances in the body sometimes result in seizures. These include: altered levels of sodium, calcium, or magnesium (electrolyte imbalance)…kidney failure and dialysis…low blood sugar or elevated blood sugar…lowered oxygen level in the brain…severe liver disease and elevation of associated toxins.

Poisons
Probably the most common is food poisoning (typically from bacteria or parasites), but also dangerous are various heavy metals (e.g. lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.), gases such as carbon monoxide, alcohol poisoning, numerous household chemicals and many others.

Drugs
It can be an interaction or reaction to a drug or combination of drugs, reaction or withdrawal (especially from certain anti-anxiety or antidepressant drugs) or the chronic use of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, heroine, amphetamines, and PCP.

Resources:
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/epilepsy.htm
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/…epsycauses.htm
http://www.essortment.com/all/causesofepilep_rloq.htm
http://adam.about.com/reports/000044_1.htm
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/epi…PI_causes.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/epilepsy/page2_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/epi…SECTION=causes
http://www.neurologychannel.com/epilepsy/causes.shtml

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5 Comments »

  1. Hi Phylis, I have both epilepsy and NEAD. I think it should be called NESD. Non Epileptic Seizure Disorder. It is not fake like some people believe.

    Do you know the possible cause of this type of seizure.
    Ruth

    Comment by Ruth Brown — February 5, 2010 @ 11:39 pm

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  2. Here’s what I have so far:

    Nonepileptic Siezure Disorder (NESD)

    Nonepileptic events look like seizures, but actually are not. Conditions that may cause nonepileptic events include narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing recurrent episodes of sleep during the day), Tourette’s syndrome (a neurological condition characterized by vocal and body tics),abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)and other medical conditions with symptoms that resemble seizures.

    Because symptoms of these disorders can look very much like epileptic seizures, they are often mistaken for epilepsy. Distinguishing between true epileptic seizures and nonepileptic events can be very difficult and requires a thorough medical assessment, careful monitoring, and knowledgeable health professionals.

    Improvements in brain scanning and monitoring technology may improve diagnosis of nonepileptic events in the future.

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — February 6, 2010 @ 12:20 am

    Reply

  3. In my view, many persons are interested in the question – what is behind their epilepsy? Thanks for sharing a good list of resources.
    In his Nerves In Collision book (about the non-convulsive epilepsies), Walter C. Alvarez, M.D. said that a microscopic scar often was believed to be the cause/lesion point for some persons (not everyone) with epilepsy.
    About ADHD Inattentive (involuntary distractibility, involuntary short attention span, concentration, paying attention, focus, memory) – from time to time discusses the many epilepsies including absence/petit mal/complex partial and so on:
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ADHD_Bulletin_Board/
    About Good Nutrition, the Human Brain, and ADHD
    http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tartrazine_and_ADHD/
    http://www.nutrition.gov/

    Comment by Charles Thomas Wild — February 6, 2010 @ 12:30 am

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  4. Wow Charles!

    What great links. I will be writing about Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy next.

    Thanks for the input, suggestions and links!

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — February 6, 2010 @ 1:09 am

    Reply

  5. Hi Phylis,

    I will be looking forward to your research on that subject.

    Ruth

    Comment by Ruth Brown — February 6, 2010 @ 2:48 am

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    About the author

    Phylis Feiner Johnson has been a professional copywriter for 30 years. She also spent 20 years with epilepsy. She writes from the heart to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. For further information, contact The Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania at http://www.efepa.org/ and please make a contribution to become an advocate, too.

    Important Resources

    • The Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. The EFEPA provides many important services, including a wonderful camp for kids with epilepsy…epilepsy seminars for first aid…awareness and education…and advocacy support.
    • The Epilepsy Foundation. Dedicated to improving how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and promoting research for a cure.