Diseases That Cause Seizures

As noted in the United States Library of Medicine online, "Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem." In addition to diseases, seizures can be caused by medications, head injuries and fevers. They can last anywhere from 30 seconds to over five minutes, and while some seizures cause convulsions, others result in mild, often unnoticeable symptoms.

Epilepsy

• Epilepsy is one of the most common causes of seizures. It is also known as seizure disorder, since seizures are the primary symptoms of the disorder. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, three million Americans have epilepsy, and there are 200,000 new cases per year. Seventy percent of cases have unknown causes; however, research has shown that some causes of epilepsy are family history and neurological injuries. If a person has more than two recurring seizures, he is usually diagnosed with epilepsy and can begin treatment, which might be medication or diet regulation.

Meningitis

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the spinal cord. It can be caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections, as well as by lupus, cancer and head injuries. Viral meningitis is the most common form and usually goes away without hospitalization; bacterial meningitis is very serious and often requires hospital treatment. Meningitis usually only causes seizures in infants, children and young adults.

Encephalitis

• Encephalitis can also be caused by bacterial and viral infections. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines encephalitis as "inflammation of the brain itself." In addition to seizures, the disease can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, such as flu-like symptoms, double vision, hallucination and problems with speech and hearing.