The concurrent presence of headaches and seizures proves deeply concerning to patients and health care professionals---with good reason. The combination of these symptoms typically indicates a serious disturbance in the brain. The onset of seizure activity requires urgent medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Medical problems that frequently cause headaches and seizures include metabolic disturbances, brain infections and tumors. Determining the cause of headaches and seizures begins the process of treating the underlying medical problem.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the spinal fluid and the three-layer covering of the brain. Viruses and bacteria prove the most common causes of meningitis. The classic symptoms of meningitis include headache, high fever and a stiff neck, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Other symptoms may include irritability, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, drowsiness and confusion. Seizures commonly develop in untreated meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis. Vaccines can protect against three of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis: Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Encephalitis
Headaches and seizures are common symptoms of encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis most frequently occurs because of a viral infection of the brain. Less commonly, bacterial, fungal or parasitic brain infections trigger encephalitis. In some cases, the immune system reaction to an infection provokes encephalitis, notes the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
With encephalitis, inflammation in the brain tissue leads to swelling and associated abnormalities in brain function. Symptoms of encephalitis can vary widely, depending on the extent and severity of brain involvement. Headaches with encephalitis occur due to inflammatory brain swelling. Other symptoms may include weakness or loss of sensation in an area of the body, confusion, hearing or speech difficulties, visual disturbances, memory loss, and behavioral and personality changes. Seizures may also develop in patients with encephalitis. Viruses frequently associated with encephalitis include the herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, and the Eastern and Western equine encephalitis viruses.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or an abnormally low blood sugar level, most commonly occurs as an adverse reaction to insulin or another glucose-lowering medication for diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include headache, tingling around the mouth, hunger, paleness, sweating, shakiness, muscle weakness, irritability and poor mental focus. Without intervention, hypoglycemia typically progresses to seizures and coma. Patients with signs and symptom of hypoglycemia can potentially avoid the development of seizures by ingesting a glucose-rich food to raise the blood sugar level.
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors commonly cause headaches and seizures, reports the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. A growing tumor increases the pressure on the brain, which leads to headaches. Headaches associated with brain tumors are characteristically worst upon awakening and gradually wane during the day. As a brain tumor grows, it displaces normal brain tissue and interferes with the electrical signaling between brain cells. This interference often leads to seizures.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Meningitis, Questions & Answers
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Meningitis and Encephalitis
- American Diabetes Association: Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
- University of California, San Francisco Medical Center: Brain Tumor--Signs and Symptoms
