Blachman said a brain tumor is perhaps the most ominous cause of seizures, but an MRI of the brain would quickly reveal any cancer significant enough to cause a brain disturbance. At the other extreme, Thaler said, a seizure could be brought on by something as simple as a bad reaction to a new medication. Other causes can include infections such as meningitis, alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, sleep deprivation, and low blood sugar.
Kennedy’s office released no details about the exact nature of the tests he is undergoing, but indicated that there probably would be no new information about his condition for 48 hours. Thaler said the testing could include a wide range of possibilities, including analyzing spinal fluid for signs of infection. Blachman said the doctors are also probably monitoring his heart for any irregularities that could contribute to blood clot formation and observing whether Kennedy suffers any more seizures.
Matthew Tilem, a neurologist at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, said it is almost impossible to draw conclusions about Kennedy’s health until the testing is done. “A seizure can be as minor as your blood-sugar dropped too low and as major as a life-threatening brain tumor,” he said.
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