Health conditions that can cause seizures

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HealthWiki > Epilepsy and Seizures > Chapter 3: Types of seizures and how to identify them > Health conditions that can cause seizures

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

• Chapter 3: Types of seizures and how to identify them
• There are many types of seizures
• Identifying types of seizures
• Absence seizures
• When seizures are an emergency
• Seizures during sleep
• Seizures during childhood
• Health conditions that can cause seizures
• Seizures from alcohol and drug use
• Chemicals can cause seizures
• Seizures with psychological causes

Seizures can be caused by a variety of health conditions other than epilepsy, including head injury, tapeworm infection, and mosquito- or tick-borne diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, and others. All too often, health workers mistakenly identify epilepsy as the cause of these seizures and give antiseizure medicines that fail to either control the seizures or treat the underlying health condition. If these conditions are not properly treated, a person’s illness and seizures may continue, which can increase their risk of developing epilepsy in the future.

See Hesperian’s Where There Is No Doctor or search the Hesperian HealthWiki for more information on the conditions described below.

Seizures after head injury

Falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and physical violence can all cause head injury. Sometimes a head injury may result in bleeding inside the skull, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Not every head injury causes these problems, but they are signs that a head injury has also injured the brain.

Repeated seizures from a head injury need medical attention. Watch a person for 24 hours after the injury and get medical help if they:

• show continuing signs of confusion.
• have a headache that gets worse.
• have seizures.

SIGNS

Mild brain injury (also called “concussion”)

dilated pupil

• Temporary confusion or loss of consciousness
• Not remembering what happened
• Temporary blurry vision or “seeing stars”
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache, dizziness, or tiredness

Rest is important for recovery from a head or brain injury, and the injured person needs sleep. If their pupils are dilated (very large) or if they are confused or unsteady on their feet, wake them every few hours during the first 24 hours to make sure they can think clearly and answer simple questions.

Get medical help if these signs do not improve or become worse. If signs are mild and nothing new develops, the person can return to their normal sleep routine.

Seizures caused by untreated tapeworm infection

Usually, tapeworms infect the intestines. But sometimes they move to the brain, where their eggs cause an infection called neurocysticercosis. This can cause seizures and, if not treated, can lead to epilepsy.

Tapeworms in raw meat (most common in pork) are usually killed when the meat is cooked. When someone eats meat that is not cooked enough, the worms can survive and lay eggs in the person’s intestines. The eggs then come out in the person’s stool. If the person does not wash their hands properly, these eggs can spread to and contaminate food, drinking water, and water used for irrigation, allowing others to accidentally swallow the eggs. Pigs can also get infected from these sources.

Neurocysticercosis happens when tapeworm eggs inside the intestines hatch into baby worms that enter a person’s bloodstream and travel to their brain, where cysts (fluid-filled sacs) develop. These cysts harden over time. Hardened cysts can cause disturbances in brain activity and seizures.

In some people, seizures go away after neurocysticercosis is treated with medicine that destroys the cysts. But in other people, if there are many cysts, if the cysts leave scars in the brain, or if the infection isn’t fully treated, then seizures may continue or return. They can be managed with antiseizure medicine.

Prevent infection and seizures from tapeworms

• Wash hands after passing stool and before handling food. If safe water or sanitation is not available, join with your community to find solutions (see Hesperian’s A Community Guide to Environmental Health, chapters 6 and 7).
• Cook meat well, especially pork, to kill tapeworms and eggs.
• Do not feed raw meat or feces to pigs. Infection can follow.
• Keep pigs away from homes and community water sources.
• Keep fingernails short so tapeworms and eggs don’t lodge under them and get into food.
• Wash dishes, cutting surfaces, and cooking utensils with clean water and soap.
• Wash vegetables before cooking them.

Seizures caused by tick- and mosquito-borne diseases

Encelphalitis

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that is often caused by viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. Seizures from encephalitis need medical attention fast. Encephalitis can cause loss of consciousness and brain injury, and can lead to epilepsy even after the person recovers.

Some people with encephalitis may only have a few mild symptoms. Others get seriously ill.

Medical treatment can help a person with encephalitis recover, but prevention is best. Vaccination can prevent tick-borne and Japanese encephalitis. It is also important to avoid insect bites and keep mosquitoes from breeding (see Hesperian’s A Community Guide to Environmental Health, chapter 8).

SIGNS

Encephalitis

Mild encephalitis Fever Headache Tiredness or fatigue Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite Mild confusion or irritability	Serious encephalitis Severe confusion Severe headache that does not go away Loss of consciousness Seizures Difficulty speaking
Take a person with signs of serious encephalitis to a medical center or hospital quickly.

Malaria

Malaria is a blood infection caused by a parasite that spreads by mosquito bites, usually at night. A person with malaria will have cycles of fever and chills. In the beginning, a person may have fever every day. After a while, the person begins to sweat, the fever goes down, and they feel weak.

Malaria can be uncomplicated (mild or regular) or severe. It can become dangerous quickly if not treated or not treated soon enough. Sometimes, severe malaria can cause brain swelling, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain (signs of cerebral malaria). Seizures, confusion, and loss of consciousness are signs of malaria in the brain. Treatment in a hospital or clinic is needed to prevent death.

In regions with malaria, people with unexplained fevers should get tested and start treatment right away. Even if testing is not available, start treatment if a person has signs of malaria. Because different medicines work in different places, use malaria medicines recommended by your local health authorities.

Prevent malaria by avoiding mosquito bites and draining standing water where mosquitoes breed. Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet is a good way to avoid mosquito bites.

SIGNS

Malaria

The malaria mosquito may have spotted wings.

Uncomplicated malaria

• High fever of 39°C (102°F) or more
• Chills and sweats
• Headaches and body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite
• Mild jaundice (yellow in white part of the eyes)

Severe malaria—the above signs plus

• Too weak to sit or stand
• Mental confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness
• Repeated vomiting
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing

Take a person with signs of severe malaria to a medical center or hospital quickly.

Get medical help as soon you can for meningitis.

Seizures caused by meningitis

Meningitis is a rare but dangerous infection around the brain and spinal cord. It can result from another illness, such as tuberculosis, measles, or mumps, but often it has no clear cause.

A high fever is the first sign of meningitis. It can cause a seizure and loss of consciousness.

Meningitis needs medical attention fast. Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics. If meningitis is caused by another illness, that infection will also need to be treated. Seizures from meningitis can be controlled with antiseizure medicine.

SIGNS

Meningitis

Fever Vomiting and headache Stiff neck

Sensitivity to touch and light Irritable and upset Very tired and sleepy

Other physical causes of seizures

• Severe infections that cause blood infections, called “sepsis”
• Very low blood sugar
• Very low sodium
• Severe dehydration

Seizures after a stroke

The most common type of stroke (ischemic stroke) happens when blood cannot reach a part of the brain. When that part of the brain does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the brain is harmed, affecting its activity. Strokes can also be caused by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).

Stroke signs usually start suddenly and can last more than 24 hours, even when mild:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, often on just one side of the body
• Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding another person
• Inability to see clearly in one or both eyes
• Loss of balance, difficulty walking
• Face may droop on one side

A severe stroke happens when a blood vessel bursts in the brain causing bleeding.

SIGNS

Severe stroke

• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders
• Loss of consciousness, fainting, or feeling sleepy

A person who has a stroke needs medical attention quickly. Get emergency help right away.

Not everyone who has a stroke will have a seizure, but it is not uncommon, especially in elders. Different types of seizures may happen. Some people feel confused or have unusual sensations. Others have generalized tonic-clonic seizures where their body shakes, muscles jerk, and they lose consciousness and fall.

Seizures can happen within the first few days after a stroke. As more time passes, the chances of having a seizure are less, but they can happen months or even years after a stroke.

People who recover from stroke without having had a seizure, or who had only 1 seizure, are at low risk for epilepsy. If epilepsy is caused by stroke, seizures can be managed with antiseizure medicine.

Seizures and cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy means “brain paralysis.” It is a common disability among children, caused by brain injury that happened before, during, or soon after birth. The brain injury can affect how the child is able to use parts of their body. The same brain injuries can also cause epilepsy.

Seizures are an early sign of cerebral palsy. Ways to tell if a child’s seizures are due to cerebral palsy, not epilepsy, include:

• When you see movement in the child’s arm or leg, gently lay your hand on the moving part. If your touch reduces or stops the movement, it is likely caused by cerebral palsy, not epilepsy.
• When you see a twisting or jerking body movement, change the child’s position or give them a gentle hug. If this stops the twisting or jerking, it is likely caused by cerebral palsy, not epilepsy.

While brain injury cannot be reversed, antiseizure medicine can prevent further injury. A child with cerebral palsy can learn to use unaffected parts of their body to become as independent as possible.

SIGNS

Cerebral palsy

• Limp and floppy body at birth (often, not always)
• Takes longer than other children to hold head up, sit, or move
• Muscle stiffness causes difficulty learning to feed, dress, or bathe
• More than usual crying or irritability, or very often quiet, passive, rarely crying or smiling

Eclampsia seizures

A dangerous condition called eclampsia can cause seizures during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Signs of eclampsia are high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy. If not treated right away, eclampsia seizures can increase the risk of brain injury that, in rare cases, can lead to epilepsy. For information about signs, prevention, and treatment of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, see Chapter 7.

This page was updated:24 May 2026