Causes and risk factors of epilepsy
In about 50% of cases, there is no identifiable cause for epilepsy. But in the others, some conditions may put you at higher risk to develop it.
These conditions include:
☞ Head trauma: It may occur due to a car accident or other traumatic injuries.
☞ Brain infections -such as meningitis, viral encephalitis, and HIV- may lead to epilepsy.
☞ Brain abnormalities, such as brain tumors and congenital vascular malformations, may lead to brain damage that causes epilepsy.
☞ Stroke: It is the leading cause of epilepsy in those older than 35 years. Stroke restricts the oxygen supply to the brain, which damages it.
☞ Birth injuries: during and before delivery, babies are susceptible to many factors that may cause brain damage, such as poor maternal nutrition, maternal infections, and oxygen deficiency. These conditions put the baby at a higher risk of epilepsy.
☞ Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease) increases the risk of epilepsy in the elderly.
☞ Developmental and genetic disorders, like autism, may be associated with epilepsy.
☞ Age and family history: Epilepsy can occur at any age, but its onset is more common in children and the elderly over 60 years old. Also, you are at a higher risk if you have a positive family history of epilepsy.
