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Epilepsy has many different causes. In any given individual, the cause is a combination of their genetically-determined seizure threshold, an underlying abnormality in the brain which predisposes them to epilepsy, and factors which bring on epilepsy at that time. Determining the specific cause for any one person's epilepsy is usually difficult. In about 60% of all cases, no specific cause is found, much to the frustration of the epilepsy patients involved. Epilepsy of an unknown origin is called idiopathic epilepsy. In many cases it is presumed to be genetic.
When the cause of a person's epilepsy is identifiable, it is called symptomatic epilepsy. Basically, any lesion, scar, tangle of blood vessels or any other abnormality in the brain that can interfere with its delicate electrical workings can cause epilepsy. Common causes are head injury (eg. from a car accident); brain tumour, scar or lesion; brain injury during fetal development; birth trauma (eg. lack of oxygen during labour); aftermath of infectious diseases (eg. meningitis, encephalitis, measles); poisoning from substance abuse, like alcohol; and stroke.
If epilepsy is due to an acquired brain lesion which has not been identified, or the cause of which is unknown, its cause is termed cryptogenic (hidden).
Is epilepsy genetically inherited?
Some forms of epilepsy have now been linked to specific genes. In addition, scientists believe that everyone inherits a seizure threshold which determines how susceptible you are to seizures, but whether or not you ever develop epilepsy is another story. In fact, in most cases epilepsy develops without any family history of the condition.
If a parent has seizures, the likelihood of passing epilepsy on to their child is estimated to be about 6%, compared to a 1% or 2% risk of epilepsy in the general population. Basically, unless both parents have a strong family history of epilepsy, the chances that any of their children will inherit the tendency to have seizures are quite low.
Is Epilepsy Contagious?
No, epilepsy is not contagious. You cannot "catch" epilepsy from another person.
Who has epilepsy?
Epilepsy most often starts in childhood or else late in life, but anyone can develop epilepsy at any time. Epilepsy affects people of all ages, all nations, and all races. It can even occur in animals. Next to migraine headaches, it is the most common neurological disorder there is. One in every 100 Canadians has active epilepsy. The chance of acquiring it at some time during life (i.e. its cumulative incidence) is about 2-4%.
What is the history of epilepsy?
As far back as the historical record goes, people have always had epilepsy. Typically misunderstood and regarded with superstition, epilepsy has historically been mistreated in strange and horrific ways. Exorcism, ointments, amulets and enemas were used as treatments in ancient Babylon, for example. Ancient peoples often believed that seizures were curses of gods and that people with epilepsy held prophetic powers. Attitudes of past societies toward epilepsy have left a legacy of stigma and damaging misconceptions that still persists today.
Some of the most exceptionally creative and talented people in history have had epilepsy, including: St. Paul, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Dante, Joan of Arc, Isaac Newton, Molière, Napoleon Bonaparte, Handel, Beethoven, Flaubert, Paganini, Tennyson, Byron, Charles Dickens, Fydor Dostoyevsky, Vincent Van Gogh, Lewis Carroll, Alfred Nobel, Agatha Christie, Richard Burton. (More information on this topic can be found in our famous people page.)
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