Did you know that about 3.3 million people in the US have epilepsy? That makes it one of the most common neurological conditions in the country.
Although many people have epilepsy, not everyone understands the condition. If you’re wondering what causes epilepsy, this article will help you learn more
What can cause epilepsy?
To understand what causes epilepsy, it’s important to know what ‘epilepsy’ actually means.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that causes people to have seizures. Someone is said to have epilepsy when they have had two or more ‘unprovoked’ seizures or one unprovoked seizure with a high risk of more.
There isn’t just ‘one’ kind of epilepsy. Instead, there are many different types and symptoms. One thing they all have in common is that they involve sudden, unpredictable, abnormal and excessive discharges of electricity in the brain (everyone’s brains use electric signals to send information, but usually in a more controlled or balanced way). For people with epilepsy, this abnormal electrical activity can cause seizures.
Seizures can vary from auras which may make you feel strange for a short while, right up to severe and repeated tonic-clonic events.
Epilepsy affects people of all ages, genders, races and income brackets.
Main causes of epilepsy and other risk factors
Some of the main causes of epilepsy may include:
1. Unknown causes: It is estimated that about half of the time, doctors do not know why an individual has epilepsy.
2. Genetics: It’s estimated that about 30% of epilepsy has a genetic cause. Scientists believe there are potentially hundreds of genes that could be involved in epilepsy. Here are various ways that genetics may play a role in the development of epilepsy:
- The disorder may be inherited (passed down from parents)
- The person might have a genetic mutation (a random change in the ‘code’ which influences a person’s development) which is known as ‘de novo’
- There are some other ways genes may cause epilepsy too
3. Head injuries: Sports injuries, car accidents,falls and other events which cause head trauma may damage the brain, and could lead to people developing epilepsy
4. Infections: Certain illnesses that affect the brain are another potential cause, including meningitis, malaria and HIV.
5. Strokes, Alzheimer’s and dementia: Illnesses which can affect the brain as we get older may also cause epilepsy.
6. Development disorders: The way the brain matures can be linked to seizures.
If you’re unsure about why you’re having seizures, speak to your doctor or an epileptologist. They may be able to help you understand what might have caused your epilepsy.
FAQ: what causes epilepsy?
Can epilepsy be caused from brain trauma?
Yes, brain traumas are an important factor in causing epilepsy for many people. In one large study, it was found that brain trauma was the cause of about 6% of epilepsy. And, among people who developed epilepsy between the ages of 15 and 34, brain trauma was the cause of 30% of cases.
Can high fever cause epilepsy?
Not normally, although it is possible. Febrile seizures sometimes happen to babies where they get a high temperature and begin having a seizure. In the majority of cases this does not lead to epilepsy in later life. However, it has been estimated that between 2% and 5% of children who had febrile seizures go on to develop epilepsy.
A fever on its own (such as from having influenza) will not normally make someone have epilepsy. However, if the fever is caused by certain diseases, such as cerebral malaria, there is a risk that it could cause brain damage and lead to epilepsy.
Can mold cause epilepsy?
There is no evidence that mold causes epilepsy. There is a small amount of research that has discussed this possibility. But more research needs to be done on this topic before any conclusions can be drawn.
Can a stroke cause epilepsy?
Yes, strokes damage the brain and kill brain cells. This may result in the person having seizures.
Can heat stroke cause epilepsy?
Heat stroke is a life threatening condition, and it can cause people to have seizures. However, heat stroke is not listed as a cause of epilepsy on the World Health Organization’s website (epilepsy is when you have two or more unprovoked seizures). There is not enough evidence to say whether or not heat stroke causes epilepsy.
