Seizure
Alternate Names : Convulsion, Fit, Epilepsy
Seizures are caused by sudden, large discharges of electrical impulses from brain cells. A seizure may involve a wide variety of symptoms, depending on the part of the brain affected and the type of seizure.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Seizures may be caused by many conditions, diseases, injuries, and other factors. These may include conditions such as the following:
abnormalities in the blood vessels of the brain
atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries supplying the brain
bleeding into the brain, such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage
brain tumors
chromosomal abnormalities
congenital diseases or conditions
high blood pressure
pregnancy and problems associated with pregnancy
stroke
transient ischemic attack, which is also called a mini-stroke
Diseases also can be a factor in seizures, for example:
advanced liver disease
Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia
epilepsy, or a disease of the nervous system
hereditary diseases
infections involving the brain, including encephalitis, brain abscess, and bacterial meningitis
kidney failure, such as chronic renal failure
Injuries that may cause seizures include the following:
choking
head injury, such as a motor vehicle accident or sports injury
electrical injuries
injury during birth or in the uterus
poisonous insect bites or stings
Additional factors that may cause seizures include the following:
alcohol withdrawal
craniotomy, which is brain surgery
high fever, especially in young children
illegal drugs, such as cocaine
lead poisoning
overheating
withdrawal from some medicines, including those used to treat seizures
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