Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.

Conditions

• Toxemia of pregnancy (eclampsia)
• A neurological problem that has been present since birth (congenital)
• Brain injury, either present at birth (congenital) or from an injury
• Previous brain surgery, brain tumor, or cerebral aneurysm
• History of encephalitis
• History of stroke
• Age older than 60
  • The risk for developing a seizure disorder increases with each decade after age 60.
  • A serious problem is likely to be the cause of a seizure in this age group.
  • People in this age group have a greater risk for developing chronic illness that can lead to the development of seizures.
  • Diseases or aging of the blood vessels (vascular system) cause changes in blood flow to the brain.
  • People who are older than 60 also have a higher risk for developing a serious problem from a seizure, such as a fracture from a fall.
• A family history of seizures

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

• Antibiotics, such as penicillin and isoniazid (for example, Nydrazid)
• Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and doxepin
• Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (for example, Benadryl)
• Antipsychotic medicines, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine
• Asthma medicines, such as aminophylline, theophylline, and terbutaline
• Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
• Cold medicines and decongestants
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
• Lithium
• Local anesthetics, such as procaine and lidocaine, especially if they also contain epinephrine
• Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Radiation therapy

Diseases

• Alzheimer's disease
• A bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Hypoglycemia
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Kidney disease
• Lupus
• Lyme disease
• Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Osteoporosis
• Sarcoidosis