4-2. CAUSES OF SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY

Epilepsy is one of the most common and yet puzzling disorders of the central nervous system. Epilepsy is a condition of the brain characterized by sudden, brief attacks of altered consciousness, motor activity, sensory phenomena, or inappropriate behavior. The term seizure refers to a convulsion or an attack of epilepsy. About half the cases of epilepsy result from unknown causes. Possible causes of the other half of the epilepsy cases include the following:

a. Disorder of the Brain. An underlying disorder of the brain which could be structural, chemical, physiological, or a combination of all three.

b. Genetic Association Indicated by Family History. A study can be made of other family members to see how many have had epilepsy and/or seizures.

c. Congenital Abnormalities. Rubella during pregnancy causes multiple, congenital malformations in infants.

d. Perinatal Factors. Birth trauma and asphyxia neonatorum are important causes of brain damage leading to epilepsy.

e. Infectious Diseases. Convulsions may accompany any acute infection of the nervous system. An inflammatory process causing brain damage may cause convulsions.

f. Toxic Factors. Lead poisoning, alcohol, and drugs can cause seizures. Lead poisoning is most dangerous in children aged one to three years. The chronic alcoholic is liable to have seizures, and drugs such as amphetamines can cause seizures.

g. Trauma and Physical Agents. Cerebral injuries, anoxia (cardiac arrest or near drowning), and hyperthermia (secondary to excessive environmental temperatures and dehydration).

h. Circulatory Disturbances. Vascular disorders that interfere with cerebral circulation causing neuronal anoxia will cause a seizure. Examples of such vascular disorder include hemorrhage, embolus, or thrombosis.

i. Neoplasms. These are new and abnormal formations of tissue such as a tumor or growth.