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Risk Factors for Epilepsy by Rick Alan

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition. It is possible to develop epilepsy with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing epilepsy. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for epilepsy include:

Medical Conditions

Any injury to the brain, either from external (environmental) or internal (medical/metabolic) sources can increase your risk of epilepsy.

Side View of the Brain

Brain injury can be caused by:

Head injury
Stroke
Alzheimer’s disease
Tumors (primary or metastatic)
Heart failure
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Any condition that deprives the brain of oxygen, such as near-drowning
Sleep deprivation
Infectious diseases, such as:
Hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain)
Celiac disease (intolerance to wheat gluten)
Metabolic conditions, such as low blood sugar , high or low salt, low magnesium or calcium

Genetic Factors

In some cases, epilepsy can result from genetic abnormalities inherited at birth.

Age

Different causes and types of seizures are more or less likely depending on your age.

In children, risk factors include:

High fever
Poor nutrition

Other Factors

Other factors that can increase your risk of epilepsy include:

Exposure to:
- Lead
- Carbon monoxide
- Other environmental toxins
Certain illegal drugs
Overdose or withdrawal of antidepressants and other medications
Medication interactions
Alcoholism
Cysticercosis (an infection caused by a pork tapeworm )

References:

Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 17th ed. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster; 2000.
Epilepsy Foundation website. Available at: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/ .
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ .
5/6/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Quet F, Guerchet M, Pion SD, Ngoungou EB, Nicoletti A, Preux PM. Meta-analysis of the association between cysticercosis and epilepsy in Africa. Epilepsia. 2010 ;51(5):830-837.

Last reviewed March 2013 by Rimas Lukas, MD

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