What causes epilepsy (seizure disorder)?
-
Seizure disorders, also known as epilepsy, can be caused by a wide variety of events and illnesses that result in injury to the brain. For example, traumatic head or brain injuries, strokes, brain tumors, heart attacks, dementia, developmental disorders, brain infections, prenatal injury, and a reduction in the amount of oxygen flowing to the brain can all cause epilepsy. These kinds of injuries and illnesses can lead to the disruption in normal electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. In some people, epilepsy is caused by genetic disorders that are inherited from one or both parents. However, in over 50 percent of people with epilepsy, the direct causes of the seizure disorder cannot be identified.Seizure disorders, also known as epilepsy, can be caused by a wide variety of events and illnesses that result in injury to the brain. For example, traumatic head or brain injuries, strokes, brain tumors, heart attacks, dementia, developmental... More
-
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:About half of epilepsy cases have unknown causes. In the other half of cases, there is evidence that a portion of the brain has been injured by infection, severe trauma, stroke, tumor, lack of oxygen, or some other cause. Epileptic seizures occur when large numbers of brain cells "fire" (send electrochemical messages) rhythmically and in unison. This simultaneous firing of large numbers of brain cells disrupts normal behavior and causes the shaking, confusion, and other signs and symptoms of seizures.
About half of epilepsy cases have unknown causes. In the other half of cases, there is evidence that a portion of the brain has been injured by infection, severe trauma, stroke, tumor, lack of oxygen, or some other cause. Epileptic seizures occur... More -
Discovery Health answered:Epilepsy can be inherited, or it can be caused by a brain injury-such as a stroke, a tumor or a blow to the head.
Doctors have found more than 200 gene abnormalities that are associated with epilepsy.
In many cases, however, doctors do not know why a patient begins experiencing seizures.
Epilepsy can be inherited, or it can be caused by a brain injury-such as a stroke, a tumor or a blow to the head. Doctors have found more than 200 gene abnormalities that are associated with epilepsy. In many cases, however, doctors do not know why... More -
Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:There are many potential causes of epilepsy. Tumors, strokes, and brain damage from illness or injury can all cause epilepsy. There are genetic causes of epilepsy as well. In some cases, however, the source of the disorder is not understood.There are many potential causes of epilepsy. Tumors, strokes, and brain damage from illness or injury can all cause epilepsy. There are genetic causes of epilepsy as well. In some cases, however, the source of the disorder is not understood. More -
Dr. Irene Semenov of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Seizure disorder, or epilepsy, may be due to a variety of underlying conditions including history of brain infection, tumor, aneurysm, history of prior stroke, prenatal brain injury, history of brain trauma and genetic causes. Seizures result from an abnormal electrical discharge of the brain cells and may be focal or generalized in onset. Sometimes these structural abnormalities can be visualized on the MRI or CT scan of the head. The origin of the seizures can be determined by an EEG test.
Seizure disorder, or epilepsy, may be due to a variety of underlying conditions including history of brain infection, tumor, aneurysm, history of prior stroke, prenatal brain injury, history of brain trauma and genetic causes. Seizures... More -
Healthwise answered:Epilepsy may develop even though you do not have any risk factors (things that increase your risk). A cause cannot always be identified. This is especially true in many forms of childhood epilepsy. For some people, epilepsy can result from a tumor, infection or damage to the brain.
Children and older adults are most likely to develop epilepsy, but it can start at any age. It is possible that epilepsy may run in families. But you do not have to have a family history to develop epilepsy.
Epileptic seizures occur when abnormal bursts of electricity in the brain briefly upset normal brain function. It's not always clear what triggers the bursts of abnormal electrical activity.
Conditions that can cause seizures include:
- Head injury.
- Stroke or conditions that affect the blood vessels (vascular system) in the brain.
- Hardening of the arteries ( atherosclerosis ) in the brain.
- Brain tumor.
- Brain infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Alcohol or drug abuse or withdrawal.
Tumors, scar tissue from injury or disease or abnormal brain development may damage a specific area of the brain and cause partial seizures. But you may not have any of these conditions and still develop epilepsy.
Epilepsy may develop even though you do not have any risk factors (things that increase your risk). A cause cannot always be identified. This is especially true in many forms of childhood epilepsy. For some people, epilepsy can result from a... More
