Risk Factors of Epilepsy
Having a seizure can sometimes lead to circumstances that are dangerous for you or others. Learn what the risk factors of epilepsy are.
Risk factors of epilepsy may include:
- Falling: If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone.
- Drowning: If you have a seizure while swimming or bathing, you’re at risk of accidental drowning.
- Car accidents: A seizure that causes loss of either awareness or control can be dangerous if you’re driving a car or operating other equipment.
- Pregnancy complications: Seizures during pregnancy pose dangers to both mother and baby, and certain anti-epileptic medications increase the risk of birth defects.
- SUDEP: Sudden Death In Epilepsy refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that is not caused by injury, drowning or other known causes. Most cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure. Unfortunately, the exact cause is not known.