What is the most common cause of seizures in older adults?

The most common cause of seizure activity in seniors is cerebrovascular disease, occurring more frequently as a consequence of a hemorrhagic stroke than the nonhemorrhagic type.

What causes seizures in adults with no history?

Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure . This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause , this is diagnosed as epilepsy .

What can cause seizures all of a sudden?

Causes of seizures can include: Abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. Brain infection, including meningitis and encephalitis. Brain injury that occurs to the baby during labor or childbirth. Brain problems that occur before birth (congenital brain defects) Brain tumor (rare) Drug abuse. Electric shock. Epilepsy .

What can trigger a seizure in adults?

Missed medication, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and menstruation are some of the most common triggers , but there are many more. Flashing lights can cause seizures in some people, but it’s much less frequent than you might imagine.

What triggers a seizure?

Triggers are situations that can bring on a seizure in some people with epilepsy. Some people’s seizures are brought on by certain situations. Triggers can differ from person to person, but common triggers include tiredness and lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and not taking medication.

What are the 3 types of seizures?

Tonic, Clonic and Tonic-Clonic (Formerly called Grand Mal) Seizures .

What are the 3 main phases of a seizure?

Seizures take on many different forms and have a beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage .

Can you have a seizure from stress?

Pseudoseizures, also called psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), are seizures that occur as a result of psychological causes, such as severe mental stress . Treating the underlying psychological cause can often help to reduce the number of seizures or prevent them happening.

Should you go to the hospital after a seizure?

Most often, seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in your brain — these are called epileptic seizures . Call 911 or seek emergency medical help for seizures if: A seizure lasts more than five minutes. Someone experiences a seizure for the first time.

What foods should you avoid if you have epilepsy?

white bread; non-wholegrain cereals; biscuits and cakes; honey; high-sugar drinks and foods ; fruit juices; chips; mashed potatoes; parsnips; dates and watermelon. In general, processed or overcooked foods and over-ripe fruits.

How can they tell if you had a seizure?

Diagnosing the seizure To make a diagnosis, your doctor may perform or order: Complete neurological exam. Blood work and other lab tests to look for abnormalities in blood glucose and other factors. Imaging tests of the brain, such as an MRI or CT scan.

Can dehydration cause a seizure?

Becoming extremely dehydrated — defined by the World Health Organization as losing more than 10 percent of your body weight in fluid — can lead to injury or fatal complications, and it requires an ER visit. Seizures , cardiac arrhythmia, or hypovolemic shock can occur because your blood volume is too low.

What foods can trigger seizures?

Stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, excess salt, spices and animal proteins may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body’s metabolism. Some parents have reported that allergic reactions to certain foods (e.g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.

Can you fight off a seizure?

In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by sniffing a strong odor, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor’s approval) may help prevent an attack.

Can a person feel a seizure coming on?

Some warning signs of possible seizures may include: Odd feelings, often indescribable. Unusual smells, tastes, or feelings. Unusual experiences – “out-of-body” sensations; feeling detached; body looks or feels different; situations or people look unexpectedly familiar or strange.