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Causes of Epilepsy

 There are many possible causes of epilepsy such as:

• Abnormality in brain structure and blood vessels in the brain.
• Imbalance of neurotransmitters or the nerve signaling chemicals such as gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.
• Changes in non-neuronal brain cells known as “neuroglia”. These can affect normal signaling patterns in the brain.
• Head injury or trauma.
• Strokes and heart attack can deprive the brain of oxygen and cause epilepsy.
• Genetic factors are an important contributing factor. Abnormal or defective genes may cause some types of epilepsy syndromes. Genetics also increases a person chance of developing epilepsy.
• Brain damage due to other disorders such as tumors, Alzheimer’s disease and even alcoholism.
• Infectious diseases such as AIDS, meningitis and viral encephalitis can cause a build-up of fluid in the brain and affect normal functioning.
• Intolerance to wheat gluten can lead to epilepsy.
• Parasitic infections of the brain such as neurocysticercosis.
• Metabolic and developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, tuberous sclerosis, Landau-Kleffner syndrome and autism. In such cases epilepsy is one of the symptoms of these conditions.
• Prenatal developmental delays and problems such as maternal infections and oxygen deficiency can affect a baby’s developing brain.
• Poisoning from toxins and chemicals such as lead and carbon monoxide can cause epileptic seizures.
• Drug use and certain medications such as antidepressants.
  

In some cases the risk of epilepsy and seizure attacks increase with certain triggers. These include:

• Lack of sleep
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Hormonal changes during menstruation
• Stress
• Flashing lights
• Smoking



Frequently asked questions

• Is There Any Natural Medication For Epilepsy?
• What To Do When Someone Has An Epileptic Seizure?
• How Is Epilepsy Treated?
• Is Garlic An Aphrodiasic?

References

1. Danielle A.J.E. Lambrechts, Laura H.P. Wielders, Albert P. Aldenkamp, Fons G.H. Kessels, Reina J.A. de Kinderen, Marian J.M. Majoie, The ketogenic diet as a treatment option in adults with chronic refractory epilepsy: Efficacy and tolerability in clinical practice, Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 23, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 310-314, ISSN 1525-5050, 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.01.002. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505012000066)
2. Srishti Nangia, Roberto H. Caraballo, Hoon-Chul Kang, Douglas R. Nordli, Ingrid E. Scheffer, Is the ketogenic diet effective in specific epilepsy syndromes?, Epilepsy Research, Volume 100, Issue 3, July 2012, Pages 252-257, ISSN 0920-1211, 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2012.01.015.