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Hospital in Kunming for Treating Epilepsy | Top 10 Hospitals for Epilepsy | Epilepsy Triggered by Staying Up LateDoctor's answer:
There are many causes of epilepsy, including focal brain lesions or diffuse brain abnormalities, systemic metabolic toxicity, and some cases with unknown origins. In clinical practice, common causes of epilepsy are particularly important, such as brain trauma, brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, intracranial infections, etc.① Brain Trauma: This includes open and closed brain injuries. Statistics show that about one-third of epilepsy patients have a history of head trauma. Without a doubt, brain trauma is one of the main causes of epilepsy. While epilepsy occurs in only a minority of patients after brain trauma, approximately 5% of patients experience seizures after such injuries. However, among those who develop epilepsy early after brain trauma, about one-fourth may develop it later. Brain injuries caused during childbirth are a significant cause of epilepsy in children.
② Brain Diseases: This includes brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, intracranial infections, etc., which are also common factors that trigger epilepsy. Late-onset epilepsy, particularly in adulthood, accounts for a relatively higher proportion. The growth of brain tumors can compress or affect surrounding brain tissue and blood vessels, leading to cerebral edema, swelling, hypoxia, ischemia, brain tissue hardening or atrophy. These metabolic abnormalities and changes in membrane potentials of neurons can cause abnormal discharges under endogenous or exogenous stimuli, triggering epilepsy. Another group of pediatric patients develops epilepsy due to vascular malformations. Additionally, some patients may experience epilepsy as a result of intracranial bacterial or viral infections, leading to conditions such as encephalitis, meningitis, arachnoiditis, or brain abscesses.
③ Epilepsy Caused by Systemic Factors: This includes carbon monoxide poisoning, hypoglycemia, acute or chronic kidney failure, hypertensive encephalopathy, pancreatic tumors, hypocalcemia, hyperthyroidism, and various systemic infections, as well as vitamin B6 deficiency. These factors may all trigger epilepsy.
Avoid overexertion and ensure adequate sleep. Adults should aim for at least 7–9 hours of sleep per day, while children should get 8–16 hours. Engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, badminton, tennis, or table tennis, but avoid swimming, mountain climbing, or diving. Riding bicycles should also be minimized to prevent falls or traffic accidents during episodes. Limit screen time and avoid playing electronic games.