Epilepsy
Who's at risk?
Doctors often don't know why some people get epilepsy. But they do know that some things can increase a person's chance of
getting it. These things are called risk factors. Here we've looked at each of the main risk factors for epilepsy.
Epilepsy is more common in older people because they're more likely to get other health problems that damage the brain, such
as
strokes,
Alzheimer's disease and
brain tumors. About a third of older people diagnosed with epilepsy have had a condition that reduces the supply of oxygen to brain cells
(such as a stroke or heart attack). This can upset the brain's electrical activity and cause seizures.
1
2
stroke
You have a stroke when the blood supply to a part of your brain is cut off. This damages your brain and can cause symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of your body. You may also find it hard to speak if you've had a stroke.
You have a stroke when the blood supply to a part of your brain is cut off. This damages your brain and can cause symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of your body. You may also find it hard to speak if you've had a stroke.
Alzheimer's disease
People who have Alzheimer's disease slowly lose their memory and ability to think clearly. As the disease gets worse, they get more confused and start acting differently. Several changes happen in the brain that stop it working properly. Small lumps called amyloid plaques grow in the parts of the brain used for memory and thinking. And bundles of twisted threads called 'neurofibrillary tangles' form inside brain cells. These stop brain cells communicating with each other, and they can cause cells to die. Also, in Alzheimer's disease, the brain does not have enough chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), and holes or gaps appear where brain cells have died.
People who have Alzheimer's disease slowly lose their memory and ability to think clearly. As the disease gets worse, they get more confused and start acting differently. Several changes happen in the brain that stop it working properly. Small lumps called amyloid plaques grow in the parts of the brain used for memory and thinking. And bundles of twisted threads called 'neurofibrillary tangles' form inside brain cells. These stop brain cells communicating with each other, and they can cause cells to die. Also, in Alzheimer's disease, the brain does not have enough chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), and holes or gaps appear where brain cells have died.
brain tumor
A brain tumor is a lump of cells that is growing out of control in the brain. Tumors can be benign (which means they don't spread beyond a local area) or malignant (which means that they can spread to other parts of the body). A tumor in the brain can cause problems by pushing on other parts of the brain and affecting how they work.
A brain tumor is a lump of cells that is growing out of control in the brain. Tumors can be benign (which means they don't spread beyond a local area) or malignant (which means that they can spread to other parts of the body). A tumor in the brain can cause problems by pushing on other parts of the brain and affecting how they work.
Source:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research.
October 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm (accessed on 6 November 2008).
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research.
October 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm (accessed on 6 November 2008).
Source:
Sander JW, O'Donoghue MF.
The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited.
Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003; 16: 165-170.
Sander JW, O'Donoghue MF.
The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited.
Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003; 16: 165-170.
More men have epilepsy than women, especially if they're older. Among people over age 60, nearly twice as many men have epilepsy
as women. This is probably because older men are more likely than older women to get health problems that can lead to epilepsy,
such as strokes.
Epilepsy is more common in people who have brain damage from a head injury, a brain tumor or an infection, such as
meningitis,
AIDS or
encephalitis. Other conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke, also can kill brain cells.
2
meningitis
If you have a swelling in the thin layers of tissue that surround your brain and your spinal cord, it's called meningitis. It's most often caused by an infection with certain kinds of bacteria or viruses. Meningitis can give you a severe headache and a stiff neck. And you may find it difficult to keep your eyes open in the light. Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. If you have these symptoms, you should get to a hospital right away.
If you have a swelling in the thin layers of tissue that surround your brain and your spinal cord, it's called meningitis. It's most often caused by an infection with certain kinds of bacteria or viruses. Meningitis can give you a severe headache and a stiff neck. And you may find it difficult to keep your eyes open in the light. Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. If you have these symptoms, you should get to a hospital right away.
AIDS
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. People who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) get AIDS when the virus has destroyed most of their immune system. When people have AIDS, their body isn't able to fight infections. So even common infections, such as colds, can cause serious problems.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. People who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) get AIDS when the virus has destroyed most of their immune system. When people have AIDS, their body isn't able to fight infections. So even common infections, such as colds, can cause serious problems.
encephalitis
Encephalitis is inflammation (swelling or irritation) of the brain. Viruses are the most common cause. People with encephalitis may become less alert and have difficulty speaking and controlling their movements.
Encephalitis is inflammation (swelling or irritation) of the brain. Viruses are the most common cause. People with encephalitis may become less alert and have difficulty speaking and controlling their movements.
Source:
Sander JW, O'Donoghue MF.
The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited.
Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003; 16: 165-170.
Sander JW, O'Donoghue MF.
The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited.
Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003; 16: 165-170.
Damage caused by these conditions can upset the electrical activity in one part of the brain and lead to a type of seizure
called a partial seizure. Damage can also be more widespread and lead to a type of seizure called a generalized seizure. (See What are the symptoms of epilepsy? to learn more about these seizures.)
The fact that head injuries are twice as common in men as in women may partly explain why more men get epilepsy. People who
injure their head are three times more likely to get epilepsy than people who don't.
3
Source:
Shorvon S.
Epidemiological studies of epilepsy and their contribution to genetics.
Epilepsy Research. 1991; (supplement) 4: 53-68.
Shorvon S.
Epidemiological studies of epilepsy and their contribution to genetics.
Epilepsy Research. 1991; (supplement) 4: 53-68.
People who have a
learning disability because of a problem in their brain have a greater chance of getting epilepsy. (This problem may have been caused by a difficult
birth or having an infection at birth.) About a third of children with
cerebral palsy (a brain condition that affects movement) have epilepsy.
learning disability
People with a learning disability have trouble with the basic processes of learning. They may have problems reading, thinking or writing. But this is not because they are not intelligent enough to learn how to do these things.
People with a learning disability have trouble with the basic processes of learning. They may have problems reading, thinking or writing. But this is not because they are not intelligent enough to learn how to do these things.
cerebral palsy
Children with cerebral palsy have disabilities because they were injured while they were in the womb or during birth. They often have trouble moving some or all of their limbs. They may also have learning difficulties and seizures.
Children with cerebral palsy have disabilities because they were injured while they were in the womb or during birth. They often have trouble moving some or all of their limbs. They may also have learning difficulties and seizures.
Some types of epilepsy tend to run in families. Sometimes, the condition is caused by a problem with a
gene that helps control how nerve cells in the brain send signals to each other.
1 If you have a brother or sister who has epilepsy, you are twice as likely to get the condition as someone who doesn't have
a brother or sister with epilepsy.
4
genes
Your genes are the parts of your cells that contain instructions for how your body works. Genes are housed on chromosomes, structures that sit in the nucleus at the middle of each of your cells. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes in your normal cells, each of which has thousands of genes. You get one set of chromosomes, and all of the genes that are on them, from each of your parents.
Your genes are the parts of your cells that contain instructions for how your body works. Genes are housed on chromosomes, structures that sit in the nucleus at the middle of each of your cells. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes in your normal cells, each of which has thousands of genes. You get one set of chromosomes, and all of the genes that are on them, from each of your parents.
Source:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research.
October 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm (accessed on 6 November 2008).
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research.
October 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm (accessed on 6 November 2008).
Source:
Hauser WA, Annegers JF.
Risk factors for epilepsy.
Epilepsy Research. Supplement. 1991; 4: 45-52.
Hauser WA, Annegers JF.
Risk factors for epilepsy.
Epilepsy Research. Supplement. 1991; 4: 45-52.
Sources for the information on this page:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research.October 2008. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm (accessed on 6 November 2008).
- Sander JW, O'Donoghue MF.The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited.Current Opinion in Neurology. 2003; 16: 165-170.
- Shorvon S.Epidemiological studies of epilepsy and their contribution to genetics.Epilepsy Research. 1991; (supplement) 4: 53-68.
- Hauser WA, Annegers JF.Risk factors for epilepsy.Epilepsy Research. Supplement. 1991; 4: 45-52.
This information was last updated on Dec 04, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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