Causes of Epilepsy
June 16, 2009
Epilepsy
Epilepsy which is otherwise called falling sickness is associated with violent shivers, fits and unconsciousness. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder. There are chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain which helps the nerve cells to transmit the electrical impulses. An imbalance in these chemicals causes epilepsy and the patient will develop recurrent attacks in irregular intervals. In most of the people epilepsy starts from their childhood while in some other it starts in their early adult hood. As the person grows in age the frequency of epilepsy attacks decreases.
Causes of Epilepsy
1. Hereditary
Hereditary has an important role in causing epilepsy. Those who have a family history of epilepsy may get that deformed gene from their ancestors. Deformed genes may produce malformed neurons with in the brain and it may leads to epilepsy. Certain patients having epilepsy may lack a gene that can break down protein while other lacks gene that breaks down carbohydrate. All these will indirectly contribute to epilepsy.
2. Injury
Serious head injuries may affect the normal functioning of the central nervous system and that may cause epilepsy. Head injuries while playing, surgical treatments and during accidents are equally responsible for developing epilepsy.
3. Psychological
Epilepsy may develop from psychological problems also. Anxiety, loneliness, mental trauma, anger, tension, depression and emotional conflicts may trigger epilepsy.
4. Pathological
Any infection that affects the brain may cause epilepsy even if it is viral, bacterial or parasitic. Brain tumors, High blood pressure, meningitis, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disorders, encephalitis, heart arrhythmias, AIDS, high sugar levels, increased ventricular pressure, etc may increase your chances for getting epilepsy as they are all intended to change the normal working of the brain.
5. Physiological
Sleeplessness, excess alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, heat stroke, over time work, sexual excesses, autism, poor growth etc may increase your chances for getting epilepsy.
6. Drug Induced
Reactions to certain drugs may cause drug poisoning and that may affect the central nervous system and develop epilepsy. Sudden withdrawal of drugs or drug dependency on anti-anxiety or anti- depressant drug may trigger the central nervous system to develop epilepsy.
7. Prenatal Injuries
These are injuries happening to an infant when the baby is inside his mother’s womb. If the mother has any infections or has unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol consumption or poor diet etc then it may affect the developing brain of the baby. This may leads to epilepsy in childhood.
8. Allergy
Allergic reaction towards certain foods, especially proteins may cause disorders in circulatory system and which in turn may blocks the blood supply to the brain. Any hindrance in the blood supply to the brain may cause epilepsy.
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