The causes of epilepsy are largely unknown
Unfortunately, in seven out of ten cases, doctors cannot find a specific cause. However, in some cases of epilepsy, seizures either run in families or are caused by short-term or lasting scarring or damage to the brain. Examples of things that can cause epilepsy are:
 Head injury
Serious brain infections, such as meningitis
Brain tumors
Brain surgery
Stroke
Alzheimer's disease or other diseases that change the brain's structure
Any condition that keeps blood or oxygen from getting to the brain (e.g. hardening of the arteries)
Alcohol or drug abuse
Brain injury during fetal development
Trauma during birth (such as lack of oxygen)
High fever (in children)
Certain medications
The term "idiopathic epilepsies" refers to cases of epilepsy that are unknown or presumed to be an inherited genetic disorder. Idiopathic epilepsy is commonly seen in childhood. But later in life, accidental head injury and brain tumor are frequent causes of epilepsy. In elderly people, epilepsy often occurs as a result of the injury caused to the brain by a stroke.
Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy
Seizures are a symptom of abnormal brain function associated with epilepsy. Just as a headache is a symptom that can have many causes, a seizure can be a symptom of many different causes of brain abnormality.
Epilepsy is more likely to begin in childhood and old age
30% of people with epilepsy are under 18 years old when diagnosed
Epilepsy is less likely to begin between the ages of 18 and 65 years
After age 65 the risk of epilepsy increases
Among people aged 70 and older, there are about 84 new cases per 100,000 each year (higher than in any other age group)
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