NERVOUS SYSTEM

Medical causes of seizures can include neurological, cardiovascular, and other factors. Seizures are frightening to watch. During an episode, the individual may experience uncontrolled body shakes, convulsions, and may appear disoriented. Fortunately, many seizures are non-life threatening. Nonetheless, finding the cause of seizures is important. This way, physicians can determine whether the seizure was caused by a medical problem, which could bring on more seizures. Diagnosing a person as an epileptic is tricky. Before a final diagnosis is made, patients must undergo various tests. Additionally, seizures must be recurrent.

Other medical causes of seizures include head injuries or problems affecting the brain. For example, a seizure may occur if an infection spreads to the brain. Terrible migraine headaches or a blow to the head can also cause a seizure. If a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor develops on the brain, a seizure is usually the first sign of a problem. Brain diseases such as Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis could also cause an unexpected seizure. Seizures are not necessarily caused by serious health problems. With this said, it is common for a person to experience a seizure following an emotional trauma, panic attack, or extreme stress.

Sometimes, medical causes of seizures are not brain-related. Rather, the cause involves the heart. When blood flow is blocked or heart problems exist, the brain cannot function properly. Cardiovascular abnormalities, which are known medical causes of seizures, include blocked blood vessels, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart flow obstructions, and abnormal heart beat. Once tests reveal the underlying cause of the seizure, physicians can suggest treatment options. In many instances, treatment is highly successful with controlling seizures.

When heart or brain tests cannot find a cause of recurrent seizures, physicians conclude that seizures are caused by epilepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the brain. Effective treatment options for epilepsy include medication and surgery to remove the part of the brain causing the seizures.