What Can Cause Epilepsy?

What can cause epilepsy?

Epilepsy is the name for a tendency to have seizures, and many different things can lead to it.

• Head injury: an injury to the head is on Epilepsy Action Australia’s list of causes.
• Stroke or brain haemorrhage: bleeding in or a blocked blood supply to the brain can be a cause.
• Lack of oxygen: a period without enough oxygen reaching the brain is listed as a cause.
• Brain infections and tumours: both appear on the same list of causes.
• Present from birth or inherited: brain abnormalities present at birth and genetic factors are also listed.

Causes of acquired epilepsy include these events

Acquired epilepsy develops after something affects the brain, rather than being present from birth.

Each of these is on Epilepsy Action Australia’s list of causes. Your doctor can explain which, if any, may apply to you.

Post traumatic epilepsy and acquired epilepsy causes

Post traumatic epilepsy is epilepsy that follows an injury to the head.

• After an injury: if seizures begin after a head injury, tell your GP or neurologist about the injury, when it happened and what care you had.
• Keep records: hospital letters, scan reports and rehabilitation notes help a specialist build the picture.
• Not every injury leads to epilepsy: ask your doctor about your own situation instead of relying on general lists.
• Other acquired causes: stroke, infection and lack of oxygen follow the same approach, so keep every relevant report.
• Wider reading: our guide to focal epilepsy explains one type of epilepsy in more detail.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

How does epilepsy occur and develop?

Seizures happen when brain activity is disrupted, and what disrupts it differs between people.

1. 1Something affects the brain. It may be an injury, stroke, infection, tumour, lack of oxygen, a difference present at birth or a genetic factor.
2. 2Seizures begin. After a first seizure, see a GP, who can refer you to a specialist.
3. 3Tests look for a cause. A specialist chooses the tests that suit the person, and in about half of people diagnosed the cause is never known.
4. 4A plan is made. The specialist explains the type of epilepsy and a seizure management plan for home, school and work.
5. 5Reviews continue. Regular appointments let the specialist check how things are going and answer new questions.

Are you born with epilepsy, and can epilepsy be genetic?

Some people have epilepsy from early childhood, and for others it begins later.

• Present at birth: brain abnormalities present at birth are on Epilepsy Action Australia’s list of causes.
• Genetic factors: they are also listed, and our guide on whether epilepsy is hereditary goes into more detail.
• Not always: other causes on the list, such as head injury or stroke, happen after birth, and some people never learn the cause.
• Family questions: a specialist or genetic service can discuss your family history.
• Types and syndromes: see the different types of epilepsy and the epilepsy syndrome guide.

Epilepsy age of onset: what age does epilepsy usually start?

Age of onset differs from person to person, and a specialist can explain what it means for you.

• In children: if your child has a seizure, see a GP or paediatrician, and read about childhood epilepsy.
• In your twenties and beyond: adults can develop epilepsy too, and a new seizure is always a reason to see a doctor.
• Later in life: stroke and other causes on the list above can happen in adulthood, so a new seizure at any age needs a doctor.
• Keep a record: note dates, what happened and what the person was doing, then bring it to the appointment.
• Triggers: a trigger is different from a cause; see what can trigger epilepsy.

Epilepsy prevention, memory loss and mood changes

These are common worries, and the honest answer is to ask the treating doctor about your own situation.

• Prevention: ask your GP what can lower the risk of the causes on the list, such as head injury or stroke.
• Memory: if you notice memory problems, tell your doctor, who can look at the cause and suggest the right assessment.
• Mood and behaviour: mood swings or changes in behaviour should be raised with your GP or specialist rather than put down to character.
• Support for carers: if worry is wearing you down, speak to your GP, and call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you feel in crisis.
• Disability and support: read whether epilepsy is a disability and our guide to high intensity supports.

When to talk to a GP or specialist

Seek advice early rather than waiting, and call 000 in an emergency.

• You or someone you care for has a first seizure or something that might have been a seizure.
• Seizures change in how often, how long or how they look.
• Seizures begin after a head injury, stroke, infection or illness.
• Memory, mood or behaviour changes worry you or your family.
• You want a seizure management plan for home, school, work or a new support worker.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

If epilepsy affects daily life for you or someone you care for, practical support can help at home and in the community. At TQN Care, our high-care and complex support team works with families to follow each person’s seizure plan, never to give treatment. Send us a referral and we will talk through what support could look like.