What Causes Seizures and When to Seek Help

A seizure can be a frightening experience, whether it happens to you or someone you love. While seizures are often associated with epilepsy, they can occur for many different reasons, and not all seizures indicate a lifelong condition. 

Identifying the cause of a seizure is the first step in getting started with the right treatment. You don’t have to look far for help, though. At Link Neuroscience Institute, our team of experts specializes in diagnosing and treating the full range of seizure disorders with the most advanced neurological testing and personalized care.

Read on to learn what causes seizures and when to seek help.

What exactly is a seizure?

A seizure happens when there is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in your brain.  This disruption can temporarily affect how you move, feel, think, or perceive your surroundings.

About one in 10 people experiences a seizure at some point in their life, but the symptoms vary widely. Seizures may cause:

• Muscle jerking or stiffening
• Staring spells
• Loss of awareness
• Strange sensations or smells
• Confusion after the event
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Some seizures last only a few seconds, while others may continue for several minutes.

10 common causes of seizures

The following conditions can all cause seizures:

1. Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most well-known cause of seizures. It’s a neurological condition in which your brain becomes prone to repeated, unprovoked seizures.

But epilepsy isn’t the only cause; many people who have a single seizure don’t develop epilepsy.

2. High fever (febrile seizures)

In children, a sudden spike in temperature can trigger a febrile seizure. These are usually harmless and often resolve as the child grows.

Febrile seizures are the most common cause of seizures in children.

3. Head injury

Concussions, trauma from accidents, or previous brain injuries can alter electrical pathways in your brain and lead to seizures.

4. Stroke

Strokes can cause many symptoms, from slurred speech to facial drooping. Because strokes contribute to reduced blood flow, they can also trigger seizures, especially in older adults. Poststroke seizures typically happen within the first 24 hours after a stroke.

5. Brain infections

Infections like meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses can cause inflammation that disrupts electrical activity. For this reason, infections in your brain can also trigger a seizure.

6. Blood sugar or electrolyte imbalances

Low blood sugar, extremely high or low sodium, or calcium imbalances can destabilize the brain’s electrical signaling. Blood sugar that’s low enough to cause seizures and unconsciousness is called hypoglycemic shock.

7. Withdrawal or substance use

Alcohol withdrawal, stimulant use, or certain medications can provoke seizures in some people. If you’re withdrawing from medications or stimulant use, work with your provider to do so in a safe, controlled way.

8. Brain tumors

Abnormal tissue in the brain, whether cancerous or benign, can interfere with normal signaling and cause seizures.

9. Sleep deprivation

Lack of sleep can lower your brain’s seizure threshold and increase the risk of an episode in susceptible individuals.

10. Unknown causes

In some cases, no clear cause is found. This is known as an idiopathic or unprovoked seizure.

When to seek medical help

Even a single seizure should be evaluated by a neurologist, especially if it happens for the first time. Professional testing can identify the cause and guide you toward the right treatment.

Seek emergency care if:

• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• The person has trouble breathing afterward
• They are injured during the event
• They don’t regain consciousness
• The seizure happens in water
• It’s the person’s first seizure ever
• The person is pregnant or has diabetes

If you witness someone having a seizure, follow basic first aid and try to protect their head and turn them on their side.

Schedule an urgent neurology appointment if you notice:

• Recurrent seizures or increasing frequency
• New or unusual symptoms
• Confusion, memory loss, or behavior changes after an episode
• A known seizure disorder that is no longer well-controlled

We take the time to understand your symptoms, identify the underlying cause, and build a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. From medication management to advanced therapies, we’ve got all of your neurology needs under one roof.

If you or a loved one has experienced a seizure or symptoms that concern you, reach out to Link Neuroscience Institute today. Schedule an evaluation today or call our Camarillo, Santa Barbara, or Oxnard, California, office.