What causes epilepsy?
A. In 70 percent of all cases of epilepsy, the cause is not known. The other cases are most frequently caused by head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, lead poisoning and injuries during childbirth. Scientists believe that everyone inherits some susceptibility to seizures, however many people with high susceptibility may never develop the condition unless something happens to injure the brain.
Virtually anything that alters brain function can cause abnormal brain-cell function leading to a seizure. Various injuries to the brain, brain tumors, inherited tendency for seizures, developmental abnormalities of the brain and brain infections can cause seizures. Sometimes, despite sophisticated testing, the cause of epilepsy remains unknown. Seizures can affect anyone at any age, from newborns to senior citizens.
In about seven out of ten people with epilepsy, no cause can be found. Among the rest, the cause may be any one of a number of things that can make a difference in the way the brain works. For example, head injuries or lack of oxygen during birth may damage the delicate electrical system in the brain. Other causes include brain tumors, genetic conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis), lead poisoning, problems in development of the brain before birth, and infections like meningitis or encephalitis. Epilepsy is often thought of as a condition of childhood, but it can develop at any time of life. About 30 percent of the 125,000 new cases every year begin in childhood, particularly in early childhood and around the time of adolescence. Another period of relatively high incidence is in people over the age of 65.
In about seven out of 10 people with epilepsy, no cause can be found. Among the rest, causes include brain tumors, genetic conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis), lead poisoning, problems in development of the brain before birth and infections such as meningitis or encephalitis. Epilepsy is often thought of as a condition of childhood, but it can develop at any time during life. About 30 percent of the 125,000 new cases every year begin in childhood, particularly in early childhood and around the time of adolescence.
