Few Reasons That Can Cause an Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which groups of nerve cells present in the brain send out incorrect information. Seizures involving violent loss of consciousness or muscle spasm are triggered by these signals.

The etiology of epilepsy is still unknown in many cases, however, you may be at higher risk for the illness if you have underlying health problems, a certain brain injury, or anomalies in your brain development.

The professional neurology team of South Valley Neurology provides comprehensive epilepsy care for both children and adults. They provide on-site diagnostic tests and treatment regimens to help people with seizures minimize the frequency and intensity of their seizures.

What are the various causes of epilepsy?

Each person’s etiology of epilepsy is distinct, and a few people have no known reason. Doctors can link epilepsy to heredity, brain damage, immunological illnesses, metabolic problems, or viral diseases in some cases. There are distinct symptoms, diagnoses, and possible treatments for each reason.

Infections

Infection is the most common reason for epilepsy all over the world. A contagious reason for epilepsy is one in which there is evidence of brain infection that can cause seizures.

Autoimmune epilepsy

Your immune system defends your body against foreign chemicals and other potential threats. An alteration in your body’s immunological function causes autoimmune epilepsy (AE).

Genetic Causes

Epilepsy can run in families and be passed down from generation to generation. Other kinds of epilepsy may well be caused by inherited genetic abnormalities that are manifesting for the very first time.

Metabolic Causes

Enzymes in your body are responsible for breaking down the food you generally eat. If any of these enzymes is malfunctioning, your body may have trouble breaking down your food or producing the energy it requires to function.

Structural Causes

Certain faulty brain structures can raise the seizure risks. This could be a genetic trait or something you acquire later in life. An MRI scan of the brain can reveal the majority of structural reasons.

Common reasons for Epilepsy as per age

Newborns

  • Brain malformations
  • During birth lack of oxygen
  • Lower levels of blood calcium, blood sugar, blood magnesium, or some other issues with electrolytes
  • Bleeding in your brain
  • Problems with certain metabolism issues during birth
  • Maternal drug use

Infants and children

  • Fever
  • Brain tumor
  • Infections

Children and adults

  • Congenital conditions like Angelman’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis
  • Genetic factors
  • Progressive brain disease
  • Head trauma

Older adults

  • Stroke
  • Head trauma
  • Alzheimer’s disease

How epilepsy is treated?

You may undertake diagnostic testing, e.g. in-office electroencephalography to assess your brain waves, after a full neurological checkup.

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By evaluating your medical history as well as doing a neurological examination, the staff at South Valley Neurology will establish that you have epilepsy. Blood tests and an MRI or some other imaging test may be required.

The doctors devise a plan for treatment to keep you from having seizures and to guarantee that you have a good quality of life. Antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs are commonly used to treat epilepsy, depending on the seizure type you suffer.

To keep your seizures fully under control, the team of South Valley Neurology will closely analyze your progress on different medications.