Possible Causes for Epilepsy and Seizures

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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Posted in Research
Tags: disease, drugs, Epilepsy, injuries, poisons, seizures

11 Comments »

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 @ 9:15 PMFeb -04:00Feb

Reply
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 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

Reply
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 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

Reply
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 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

Reply
Hi Phylis,

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

Ruth

Comment by Ruth Brown — February 6, 2010 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

Reply
The cause was do to fibers just not untangling themselves at the 4th ventricle causing hetertopias on the left side. It happened that I have seizures. I am grateful that is the only problem.

Comment by Toni Robison — September 26, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep

Reply
- Whew, me too!
  
  A friend of mine was “tangled” on both sides and suddenly the progression was so fast, she had to have brain surgery and it was much more complicated than she thought.
  
  She had seizures AFTER the brain surgery! (But happily that’s “all”.)
  
  Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 26, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep
  
  Reply
I’ve had epilepsy for over 30 years. It all started
Because I was allergic to the pertussis vaccine
When I was 1&1/2years old. Eventhough, I have
A vns. & take medication, my seizures are still
Uncontolled. I am still looking for somthing that
Will help me. I’ve tried everything!!!

Comment by Joanie Angeloni — September 28, 2011 @ 9:15 AMSep -04:00Sep

Reply
- Hi Joanie,
  Do you go or have you been to a CEC(Comprehensive Epilepsy Center) I had been going to uninformed (we’ll just call it that) Neurologist’s. It wasn’t until I went to an Epilepsy Center that things started changing for me. I had Epilepsy for 50 years until surgery in 2009. I’ve been seizure free since then. Don’t give up hope, anything is possible. I know.
  Blessing’s
  
  Comment by Charlie — October 8, 2011 @ 9:15 AMOct -04:00Oct
  
  Reply
Have you considered one of the 3 anti-epilepsy diets?

They may not beat your epilepsy (although some people say they do!) but they can help reduce your seizures and the amounts of medication needed. See:
Three anti-seizure diets that could change your life…

http://epilepsytalk.com/2009/10/04/eating-well-is-the-best-revenge/

Let me know if you try any and how you do. (The M.A.D.
– Modified Atkins — is the most user friendly.)

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 28, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep

Reply
Joanie,

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) provides a directory of specialized epilepsy centers in the U.S. along with other useful information about epilepsy.

http://www.naeclocator.org/find.htm

Also, for a list of the Best Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospitals in the U.S. go to

http://epilepsytalk.com/2010/02/23/best-neurology-neurosurgery-hospitals-in-the-u-s/

Comment by Johnson — October 9, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Reply

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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 @ 9:15 PMFeb -04:00Feb

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 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

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 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

Wow Charles!

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

Thanks for the input, suggestions and links!

Hi Phylis,

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

Ruth

Comment by Ruth Brown — February 6, 2010 @ 9:15 AMFeb -04:00Feb

The cause was do to fibers just not untangling themselves at the 4th ventricle causing hetertopias on the left side. It happened that I have seizures. I am grateful that is the only problem.

Comment by Toni Robison — September 26, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep

Whew, me too!

A friend of mine was “tangled” on both sides and suddenly the progression was so fast, she had to have brain surgery and it was much more complicated than she thought.

She had seizures AFTER the brain surgery! (But happily that’s “all”.)

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 26, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep

I’ve had epilepsy for over 30 years. It all started
Because I was allergic to the pertussis vaccine
When I was 1&1/2years old. Eventhough, I have
A vns. & take medication, my seizures are still
Uncontolled. I am still looking for somthing that
Will help me. I’ve tried everything!!!

Comment by Joanie Angeloni — September 28, 2011 @ 9:15 AMSep -04:00Sep

Hi Joanie,
Do you go or have you been to a CEC(Comprehensive Epilepsy Center) I had been going to uninformed (we’ll just call it that) Neurologist’s. It wasn’t until I went to an Epilepsy Center that things started changing for me. I had Epilepsy for 50 years until surgery in 2009. I’ve been seizure free since then. Don’t give up hope, anything is possible. I know.
Blessing’s

Comment by Charlie — October 8, 2011 @ 9:15 AMOct -04:00Oct

Have you considered one of the 3 anti-epilepsy diets?

They may not beat your epilepsy (although some people say they do!) but they can help reduce your seizures and the amounts of medication needed. See:
Three anti-seizure diets that could change your life…

http://epilepsytalk.com/2009/10/04/eating-well-is-the-best-revenge/

Let me know if you try any and how you do. (The M.A.D.
– Modified Atkins — is the most user friendly.)

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 28, 2011 @ 9:15 PMSep -04:00Sep

Joanie,

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) provides a directory of specialized epilepsy centers in the U.S. along with other useful information about epilepsy.

http://www.naeclocator.org/find.htm

Also, for a list of the Best Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospitals in the U.S. go to

http://epilepsytalk.com/2010/02/23/best-neurology-neurosurgery-hospitals-in-the-u-s/

Comment by Johnson — October 9, 2011 @ 9:15 PMOct -04:00Oct

Epilepsy Talk