What makes you have seizures

Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain. Focal seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness:. Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness. Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures.

Different types of generalized seizures include:. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive the latest on epilepsy treatment, care and management. Error Select a topic. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. You will receive the first epilepsy email message in your inbox shortly. This message will include the latest treatment options, innovations and other information from our epilepsy experts. Nerve cells neurons in the brain create, send and receive electrical impulses, which allow the brain's nerve cells to communicate.

Anything that disrupts these communication pathways can lead to a seizure. Some types of seizure disorders may be caused by genetic mutations. The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy. But not every person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may be caused or triggered by:. Find out how to help someone who is having a seizure with this first aid information on seizures. Plus, learn when to call an ambulance.

Read more on myDr website. Sleep and seizures the facts One of the most common seizure triggers for many people with epilepsy, is lack of sleep Nocturnal seizures disrupt sleep and increase daytime drowsiness Drowsiness can increase the risk of daytime seizures for people affected by seizures during sleep Nocturnal seizures may be misdiagnosed as a sleep disorder and certain sleep disorders may be misdiagnosed as epilepsy Nocturnal seizures are a risk factor for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy SUDEP Some antiepileptic drugs can contribute to sleeping difficulties or daytime drowsiness Sleep apnoea is approximately twice as common in people with poorly controlled epilepsy than in the general population People with epilepsy and a sleep disorder have a poorer quality of life compared to those with no sleep disorder.

Read more on Epilepsy Action Australia website. What is a seizure? Seizures are caused by a short change in the normal electrical activity in the brain. Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website. Reducing the number of seizures you are having will help to lessen the risk of seizure-related injury or death. Seizures and blackouts affect consciousness, awareness and judgement, which can increase the risk of accidents and injury.

Epilepsy is when a child has seizures over a long period. If your child is diagnosed with epilepsy, treatment aims to let your child live a normal life. Read more on raisingchildren.

Understanding Epilepsy - Anyone can have a seizure under certain circumstances and not all seizures result in a diagnosis of epilepsy. Learn more.

This pathway provides guidance on the imaging of patients presenting with their first episode of seizure. A protocol for imaging patients with recalcitrant seizures is also included. Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website. A seizure occurs when there is a disturbance within the brain caused by sudden, abnormal electrical and neuronal activity. There are three major groups of seizures: generalised onset, focal onset and unknown onset. Read more on Ausmed Education website.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that causes an individual to experience recurrent seizures. Epilepsy may be a life-long condition, but seizures can often be controlled using medication. Ketogenic diets KDs are high in fat and low in carbohydrates and have been suggested to reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy.

Read more on Cochrane Australasian Centre website. Midazolam is now the first-line treatment for status epilepticus in children. Find out who can administer it and how it is given safely and effectively. Genetic — information in the DNA in our cells that controls our characteristics, for example hair colour, sex and height.

Your doctor or neurologist may be able to tell you what has caused your epilepsy, but this is not always possible. Research continues into understanding more about why seizures happen in some people and not in others. You can also reach us by email helpline epilepsysociety. There are many different types of epileptic seizure. Any of us could potentially have a single epileptic seizure at some point in our lives. This is not the same as having epilepsy, which is a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain.

Specific time of day or night Sleep deprivation — overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep, disrupted sleep Illness both with and without fever Flashing bright lights or patterns Alcohol - including heavy alcohol use or alcohol withdrawl Drug use - Use of cocaine and other recreational drugs such as Ecstasy Stress Menstrual cycle or other hormonal changes Not eating well, long times without eating, dehydration, not enough fluids, low blood sugar, vitamins and mineral deficiencies Specific foods, excess caffeine or other products that may aggravate seizures Use of certain medications missed medications Find Your Local Epilepsy Foundation What is reflex epilepsy?

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