Epilepsy, a disorder of the brain, causes the nerve cells to signal abnormally, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. When the nerve cells fire--or signal--abnormally, a seizure occurs. While many people lead normal lives with the help of medication, occasionally complications arise.
Brain Damage
People with epilepsy suffering from complex partial seizures may experience both cognitive and behavioral problems. These stem from the damage certain areas of the brain--more specifically, the limbic structures--endure during this particular seizure type.
The NeurologyChannel explains that specific complications of this damage include short-term memory loss which renders the person unable to recall certain words or names of objects. A person may also become aggressive and volatile when restraint is necessary during his seizure, can lose his sense of humor or find himself dependent on those around him.
Problems During Pregnancy
An expectant mother who suffers from epilepsy needs to be closely monitored, as seizure activity while she is pregnant can cause complications for both her and her unborn child. Falling during a seizure not only poses an immediate health risk for the mother, but may complicate her pregnancy and have long-term effects on the baby. Certain anticonvulsants--seizure medications--can cause birth defects; in some cases the doctor may choose to change a mother's medication for the safety of the baby.
Status Epilepticus
Status epilepticus is a condition that occurs most frequently in patients suffering from tonic-clonic--grand mal--seizures, although it can occur with any seizure type. The most severe of all seizure types, a grand mal seizure causes patients' bodies to stiffen and convulse for a minimum of two minutes while a loss of consciousness takes place.
A medical emergency, this condition causes the patient to experience one seizure after another without regaining consciousness in between. Those having a seizure longer than five minutes also fall into this category. The Mayo Clinic explains that persons with status epilepticus face a greater risk of permanent brain damage and death.
Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy
Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy only occurs in small percentages of people with epilepsy--less than one in 1,000 people, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The exact cause is not fully understood as a physical cause has yet to be determined. In some cases, a healthy person whose only medical condition is epilepsy may suddenly die. It does appear that SUDEP occurs more frequently in those with uncontrollable tonic-clonic seizures, or patients taking more than one seizure medication simultaneously.
