Risk factors are factors that increase the possibility of getting a condition. The risk factors for epilepsy are:
(It is possible to develop epilepsy with or without these factors but these factors increase the possibility)

• Injury to the brain
• Head injury (trauma) / birth injury
• Cerebral malformation
• Stroke
• Vasculitis – e.g. Systemic Lupus erythmetosis
• Tumour (Primary or metastatic)
• Conditions that might deprive the brain of oxygen – for example near drowning.
• Infective causes: e.g. – meningitis, encephalitis, febrile convulsions etc.
• Metabolic conditions like hypoxia, low blood sugar, low or high salt, low magnesium or calcium etc.

Other factors:

• Exposure to lead, carbon mono oxide or other environmental toxins
• Overdose or withdrawal or certain medications
• Alcoholism

Different risk factors are common in specific age groups.