Epilepsy, also called seizure disorder, describes a condition in which a person experiences two or more unprovoked seizures, according to New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Sudden surges in electrochemical impulses produced by a group of nerves in the brain cause epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic seizures resemble epileptic seizures except they are not caused by electrical disturbances in the brain. Two types of non-epileptic seizures exist; physiologic caused by medical conditions triggering disruptions in brain functions and psychogenic caused by major emotional trauma.
Hypoglycemia
Glucose, or sugar, is an important source of energy for the body. The body breaks down ingested foods into smaller molecules, including glucose which can then be absorbed through the small intestine. A condition of low blood glucose, called hypoglycemia, deprives the cells of energy needed to function leading to confusion, clumsiness or fainting. Severe hypoglycemia, most common in patients who suffer from type 1 diabetes, can cause seizures, coma or even death according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia, a condition of a low level of sodium in the blood, can result in seizures. Sodium is an electrolyte, or salt, which helps to regulate the amount of water in the cells of the body. When sodium levels drop to less than 135 mEq/L, according to MayoClinic.com, cells become swollen with water leading to nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, irritability, muscle weakness and seizures. Medical conditions such as cancer, hypothyroidism--an underactive thyroid or Addison's disease can cause hyponatremia.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
The heart functions to pump blood, oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body. A group of cells known as the sinus node, located in the upper right chamber of the heart, produce electrical impulses which regulate the beating of the heart. In order for the heart to effectively pump blood, the cells within the four chambers of the heart must pump together.
Several different types of arrhythmia, an abnormal heartbeat, can occur. Tachycardia describes a heart beating too fast while bradycardia describes a heart beating too slowly. Arrhythmia interferes with the amount of blood and oxygen circulating through the body. A seizure can occur due to deprivation of blood and oxygen to the brain causing disturbances among the cells.
Emotional Trauma
Emotional trauma, such as that caused by physical or sexual abuse for instance, can lead to the onset of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. This type of seizure is caused by psychiatric issues but manifests as a neurological condition. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are a coping mechanism meaning the physical symptoms of movements, sensations and behaviors similar to epileptic seizures allow the patient to dissociate from the emotional trauma causing the distress, as described by the American Academy of Family Physicians. This however does not mean the seizures are intentional as they usually occur without conscious awareness.
