Causes of Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder

In about 70 percent of seizure cases, no known cause can be identified. When a reason for the onset of seizures can be identified, the most frequent causes include:

• Heredity - though, in fact, the risk of getting Epilepsy is only 2.5 times greater with a family history of seizures than when no family member has had the disorder.
• Head trauma - the more severe the injury, the greater the risk of developing Epilepsy.
• Brain tumor and stroke.
• Poisoning - such as lead poisoning. More than 5,000 people annually suffer seizures caused by alcoholism. Drug abuse also can play a part.
• Infection - such as meningitis, viral encephalitis, lupus erythematosus, and, less frequently, mumps, measles and diphtheria.
• Maternal injury - such as infection or systemic illness affecting the fetus' developing brain during pregnancy.