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Epilepsy & Paranasal Sinus Disease

In certain rare situations, severe sinus infections can cause epilepsy, a condition often marked by seizures. This can happen in situations of severe frontal sinus infections or in instances where sinus infections are severe enough to lead to brain abscesses, which in turn cause seizures.

  1. Frontal Sinus Infections and Seizures

    • According to the article "Frontal Sinus Pathology and Epilepsy," "A more uncommon consequence of frontal sinusitis is isolated epilepsy." However, since so much of the general population is subject to sinus infections, it is impossible to identify those whose sinus infections are more likely to contribute to epilepsy. If you do not already have epilepsy, it very unlikely that your sinus infections will contribute to seizures. Severe sinus infections are more likely to cause seizures in affected individuals versus mild sinus infections.

    Brain Abscesses and Seizures

    • Brain abscesses are also a known cause of epilepsy and seizures. According to the book "The Treatment of Epilepsy," "Paranasal sinus infections...can also lead to brain abscess formation." This is also a rare situation. In order for a sinus infection to cause a brain abscess, it must be both very severe and have been unsuccessfully treated or untreated for a long period of time.

    Stress and Seizures

    • Anecdotal evidence has always suggested that when the body is under a great deal of stress, individuals are more likely to have seizures. Therefore, it is not impossible that sinus infections occurring in conjunction with other stressful situations may contribute to the occurrence of a seizure. Further, fevers are known to lower the seizure threshold, so when a seizure-prone individual has a fever occurring alongside sinus infections, it is important to aggressively treat both. Some experts have theorized that a seizure-prone individuals may be more susceptible to certain type of infections, including those that can cause epilepsy.

    Seizures Causes Vary

    • Because the known instances of a sinus infection leading to epilepsy are so rare, if you have epilepsy, it is unlikely that sinus problems are causing your seizures, unless you notice a definite correlation. Situations triggering seizures do vary from individual to individual, especially among those who have already been diagnosed with epilepsy. Triggers for some people do not cause seizures in others. If you notice that a sinus infection has preceded several seizure events, it is possible that it was a contributing factor. An ear, nose and throat specialist may be able to work with you to help make sure your sinus infections are kept under control.

    Treat Your Sinus Infections

    • The best way to avoid finding yourself in a situation where a sinus infection may cause a seizure is to treat all sinus infections. If you have a sever sinus infection that over-the-counter treatments will not clear up, see your doctor.

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