Causes of Epilepsy

Causes

In about half of patients with epilepsy even our most modern scientific techniques do not permit us to decide with certainty the actual cause of the seizures. Even if there is damage to the structure of the brain, it may be so tiny we may not be able to find it. In many instances there is no apparent damage and we have to look for disturbances in how brain cells work or in the chemical reactions taking place in the brain.

The Most Common Causes Of Recurrent Seizures (Epilepsy):

• problems arising prior to birth such as abnormal brain development, strokes, infections, or injuries.
• problems during birth such as lack of oxygen getting to the brain. problems in the newborn including infection, very low blood glucose, or very low calcium.
• inherited diseases or conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), tuberous sclerosis or neurofibromatosis
• head injuries that damage the brain
• tumors of the brain
• infections of the brain such as meningitis, encephalitis and brain abscess strokes

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