Causes of Epilepsy
Epilepsy can have several causes most of which are a result of underlying brain disease but unfortunately in about 60% of cases there is no known cause. This is termed Idiopathic Epilepsy (Canadian Epilepsy Alliance). The theory in these cases is that there is an imbalance in specific chemicals in the brain responsible for sending signals.
Known causes showing a brain disorder and/or brain damage are:
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Severe head trauma
- A disturbance in brain development
- Stroke
- Poisoning
- Tumors
It is unclear why particular seizures occur at a particular age or time and not at other ages or times. Provocative factors, however, are recognized in some patients. For example, certain flashing lights (discos, television, video games, etc.), over-breathing, over-hydration, loss of sleep, and/or emotional and physical stress, may stimulate seizures. Although these are not causes of epilepsy, they may influence the timing and frequency of seizures.
