What may increase your risk for problems after a seizure?
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What may increase your risk for problems after a seizure?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.
Conditions
- Toxemia of pregnancy (eclampsia)
- A neurological problem that has been present since birth (congenital)
- Brain injury, either present at birth (congenital) or from an injury
- Previous brain surgery, brain tumor, or cerebral aneurysm
- History of encephalitis
- History of stroke
- Age older than 60
- The risk for developing a seizure disorder increases with each decade after age 60.
- A serious problem is likely to be the cause of a seizure in this age group.
- People in this age group have a greater risk for developing chronic illness that can lead to the development of seizures.
- Diseases or aging of the blood vessels (vascular system) cause changes in blood flow to the brain.
- People who are older than 60 also have a higher risk for developing a serious problem from a seizure, such as a fracture from a fall.
- A family history of seizures
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin and isoniazid (for example, Nydrazid)
- Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and doxepin
- Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (for example, Benadryl)
- Antipsychotic medicines, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine
- Asthma medicines, such as aminophylline, theophylline, and terbutaline
- Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
- Cold medicines and decongestants
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Lithium
- Local anesthetics, such as procaine and lidocaine, especially if they also contain epinephrine
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Alzheimer's disease
- A bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Cancer
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Osteoporosis
- Sarcoidosis
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
| Last Updated | October 29, 2007 |
| Last updated: | October 29, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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