What Causes Seizures?

Brief Answer:
Information on new seizure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

A seizure in an adult with no history of epilepsy can be frightening, and there are many things that can cause it. Without knowing more about her medical history or any medications she might be on, I can only provide a list of a number of things that can cause a solitary seizure.

Convulsive syncope: If a person doesn't have enough cardiac output and faints as result, it can be accompanied by convulsive muscle activity. Cardiac tests would be used to sort this out if there is suspicion for this.

Transient ischemic attack (like a stroke, but with nor residual deficits)

A migraine can sometimes present this way, especially after exposure to strobe lights

Sleep disorders

Dietary deficiencies (such as deficiencies of some of the B vitamins) and hypoglycemia (including an excess of insulin, or not eating for too long)

Arteriovenous malformation ( a blood vessel disorder in the brain)

Encephalitis and meningitis (the ER doctor would have picked up on this as she would have also had neck pain, fever, etc)

Eclampsia (if pregnant)

Brain tumors (both benign and malignant)

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Alcohol use, and more importantly, alcohol withdrawal and withdrawal from drugs and medications

Fever

Head injury (or history of this)

Hormonal fluctuations such as around menstruation

High stress levels

So...as you can see, there are many unrelated possible causes.

I hope this information helps.

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