Causes

In more than half of epilepsy cases, no clear known cause can be found. Some types of epilepsy are associated with genetic factors.  Among the rest, anything that affects the way the brain works could increase the chance of developing epilepsy.

Possible causes include:

• Head injuries

• Lack of oxygen during birth

• Stroke

• Problems in the development of the brain before birth

• Brain tumors

• Genetic conditions (such as tuberous sclerosis)

• Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Epilepsy is NOT contagious – you can’t catch it, and you can’t give it to someone else.