Causes of Adult-Onset Seizures

Overview

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness.

There are many kinds of seizures and many possible causes of seizures, including:

• epilepsy
• brain infections
• low blood sugar

What is adult-onset seizures?
Some seizures start in childhood, while others begin in adulthood. These are called adult-onset seizures.

Some seizures start in childhood, while others begin in adulthood. These are called adult-onset seizures.

Causes of adult-onset seizures

Usually, a traumatic event or specific condition could be the possible cause of adult-onset seizures. Possible causes of adult-onset seizures include:

Brain tumor

Adult-onset seizures are often the first sign of a brain tumor. If the seizures get worse, it means that the tumor has grown. Different types of tumors cause seizures in different ways, usually due to pressure or bleeding in the brain.

Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury or TBI is another possible cause of a first-time seizure in adults. A seizure may occur immediately after a TBI.

About 50% of TBI related seizures happen within the first 24 hours.

National Library of Medicine

Central nervous system infection

Central nervous system infection (CNS) is caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. These pathogens can cause infection in brain tissues. This can lead to an inflammatory response that leads to abnormal changes in the brain’s electrical activities and thereby triggering a seizure in adults.

Substance use and withdrawal

A first-time seizure in adulthood may be related to the use of certain substances or withdrawal from them. Certain substances can induce seizures by altering neurotransmitter activity. In other cases, a drug may modify electrolytes or blood flow in the brain, resulting in a seizure.

Alcohol poisoning and withdrawal

Alcohol poisoning, or an alcohol overdose, is when you drink a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. This can cause alterations in your fluid and electrolyte levels, resulting in seizures. Alcohol withdrawal may also trigger a first-time seizure.

Stroke

You’re more likely to have a seizure if you had a haemorrhagic stroke (bleed on the brain). Seizures can also be more likely if you had a severe stroke, or a stroke in the cerebral cortex, the large outer layer of the brain where vital functions like movement, thinking, vision and emotion take place.

In a nutshell…

It’s possible for an adult without a history of epilepsy to experience a seizure, based on the above-mentioned conditions and causes. The types of seizures experienced depends on the cause.

If you have a seizure for the first time, get medical attention and consult a neurologist immediately.

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