Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Certain factors may increase your risk of epilepsy.

  • Your age. The onset of epilepsy is most common during early childhood and after age 65, but the condition can occur at any age.
  • Your sex. Men are slightly more at risk of developing epilepsy than are women.
  • A family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.
  • Head injuries. These injuries are responsible for many cases of epilepsy. You can reduce your risk by always wearing a seat belt while riding in a car and by wearing a helmet while bicycling, skiing, riding a motorcycle or engaging in other activities with a high risk of head injury.
  • Stroke and other vascular diseases. These can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of such diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol and avoiding cigarettes, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
  • Brain infections. Infections like meningitis, which causes an inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, can increase your risk of epilepsy.
  • Prolonged seizures in childhood. High fevers in childhood can sometimes be associated with prolonged seizures and subsequent epilepsy later in life, particularly for those with a family history of epilepsy.
Complications Causes
References
  1. Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  2. Schachter SC, et al. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  3. Wilfong A, et al. Overview of the classification, etiology, and clinical features of pediatric seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  4. Boggs JG. Seizures and epilepsy in the elderly: Etiologies, clinical presentation, and differential diagnosis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Information for healthcare professionals: Suicidal behavior and ideation and antiepileptic drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/antiepileptics200812.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  6. Krumholz A, et al. Driving restrictions for patients with seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Feen ES, et al. Status epilepticus. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:400.
  8. Tomson T, et al. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A review of incidence and risk factors. Epilepsia. 2005;46:54.
  9. Bell GS, et al. Drowning in people with epilepsy: How great is the risk? Neurology. 2008;71:578.
  10. First aid. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/firstaid/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  11. Law enforcement/EMS response to seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/professionals/emergency/index.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  12. Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. French JA, et al. Initial management of epilepsy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:166.
  15. About epilepsy: Epilepsy fact sheet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/factsfigures.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  16. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  17. Living with epilepsy: Tips for living. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qsliving/idvtips.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  18. Transportation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  19. Myoclonus fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/detail_myoclonus.htm#105233160. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  20. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/detail_stroke.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  21. Browne TR, et al. Handbook of Epilepsy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:133.
  22. Cancer imaging. National Cancer Institute. http://imaging.cancer.gov/imaginginformation/cancerimaging/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
  23. Devinsky O. Epilepsy: Patient and family guide. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: Demos Medical Publishing; 2008:81.
  24. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/ketoalone.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  25. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  26. Pre-surgical evaluation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/surgery/evaluation.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  27. Spencer SS, et al. Multiple subpial transection for intractable partial epilepsy: An international meta-analysis. Epilepsia. 2002;43:141.
  28. So EL. What is known about the mechanisms underlying SUDEP? Epilepsia. 2008;49:93.
  29. Neurontin (prescribing information.). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer Inc.; 2007. http://www.pfizer.com/products/rx/rx_product_neurontin.jsp. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  30. So E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2009.

DS00342

April 28, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger