15 Common Causes of Encephalopathy

A general term for brain damage, brain disease, or brain malfunction is encephalopathy. The main symptom associated with encephalopathy is an altered mental state. Often, encephalopathy is a complication of a more primary issue such as kidney failure, anoxia, or alcoholic cirrhosis. There is a broad spectrum of symptoms that encephalopathy can present with. Some of the symptoms are mild such as a subtle personality change or memory loss. Other symptoms are more severe such as coma, seizures, dementia, and possibly death. Generally speaking, encephalopathy is manifested through altered mental states that are come with physical manifestations such as poor coordination. Typically, in most cases of encephalopathy, the diagnosis is accompanied by other terms that describe the cause, reason, or other special conditions. Here are 15 common causes of encephalopathy. There are different types of encephalopathy, so the causes of this issue can be quite varied. 

1. Physical Injury

Repeated trauma can result in encephalopathy. When repeated traumas occur, it can cause what is referred to as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. If the trauma occurs to the head, it can cause damage that affects the function of the brain. When a person has multiple injuries to the head over time, it can result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy. For example, a person who plays football may have repeated injuries to their head. This is why helmets are extremely important. Even when wearing a helmet, a football player often receives blows to the head that can cause the brain to change over time. People in the military are also at a higher risk for developing this type of encephalopathy. The brain is extremely important and it is well protected by the skull. However, if you are exposing the head to many injuries over time, it can result in mental health damages that cannot be reversed.