There may also be factors in your personal and family health history that may indicate an increased risk of developing seizures or other neurological problems. Make a note if any of these pertain to you (or your loved one) as they may suggest a need for further evaluation by a doctor.

Some risk factors for possible seizures

• Babies who are small for their gestational age
• Babies who have seizures in the first month of life
• Babies who are born with problems in the way the brain developed
• Bleeding into the brain
• Abnormal blood vessels in the brain
• Serious brain injury or lack of oxygen to the brain
• Seizures occurring within days after a head injury
• Brain tumors
• Infections of the brain ( for example an abscess, meningitis, or encephalitis)
• Stroke resulting from blockage of arteries and blood flow
• Cerebral palsy
• Family history of epilepsy or seizures that occur with high fevers
• Fever-related seizures that are unusually long
• Intellectual developmental disabilities
• Alzheimer’s Disease (seizures occur late in the course of this illness)
• Use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine.

Other factors may occur more often in some people with seizures than in people without seizures and may be related to the epilepsy. Some of these include:

• Learning problems that require special education help or classes in school
• Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other changes in mood
• Problems sleeping
• 'Not doing well' at home, school, work, or with friends
• Unexplained injuries or falls
• Headaches

If any of these risk factors or associated problems are present, or you think you have had these problems, talk to your doctor about what to do next. Chart what is happening in relation to your seizures and medicines and take the information to your visits.

• Medical History
• Symptoms of a seizure

Continue to Seizure Triggers

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed:5/25/07