A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
See also:
Secondary seizures; Reactive seizures; Seizure - secondary; Seizure - reactive
ConsiderationsThere are a wide variety of possible symptoms of seizures, depending on what parts of the brain are involved. Many, if not all, types of seizures cause loss of awareness and some cause twitching or shaking of the body.
However, some seizures may be hard to notice because they consist of staring spells that can easily go unnoticed. Occasionally, seizures can cause temporary changes in sensation or vision.
Symptoms of seizures come on suddenly, over just seconds to a minute, and may include:
Symptoms may stop after a few minutes, or continue for 15 minutes. They rarely continue longer.
Shaking of the entire body when it occurs should last a few minutes and stop within 5 minutes.
Common CausesA seizure may be related to a temporary condition, such as exposure to drugs, withdrawal from certain drugs, a high fever, or abnormal levels of sodium or glucose in the blood. If the repeated seizures do not happen again once the underlying problem is corrected, the person does not have epilepsy.
In other cases, injury to the brain (for example, stroke or head injury) causes brain tissue to be abnormally excited.
In some people, a problem that is passed down through families (inherited) affects nerve cells in the brain, which leads to seizures. In these cases, the seizures happen spontaneously, without an immediate cause, and repeat over time. This is epilepsy.
Idiopathic seizures are chronic seizures that occur without an identifiable cause. They usually begin between ages 5 and 20, but can occur at any age. The person can have a family history of epilepsy or seizures.
Other more common causes of seizures include:
If someone who has never had a seizure before has one, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Persons with epilepsy should always wear a medical alert tag.
Most seizures stop by themselves. However, a person having a generalized seizure may be injured; breathe food, fluid, or vomit into the lungs; or not get enough oxygen. During a generalized seizure, it is important to protect the person from injury. Turn the person on the side, so that any vomit leaves the body and does not enter the lungs. See: Seizure first aid
After a generalized seizure, most people go into a deep sleep. Do not prevent the person from sleeping. The person will probably be disoriented, or possibly agitated for awhile after awakening.
EMERGENCY FIRST AID
If a person has repeated or prolonged seizures without regaining consciousness or returning to normal behavior, the body may develop a severe lack of oxygen. This is an emergency situation. Seek immediate medical help.
AFTER THE SEIZURE
Treat any injuries from bumps or falls. Record details of the seizure to report to the person's primary health care provider. You should note the following details:
If this is the first time someone has ever had a seizure, or if this is an unusually long seizure in someone who has a seizure disorder, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. These symptoms can be caused by life-threatening conditions, such as a stroke or meningitis.
Report all seizures (even a mild one) to the health care provider. If the person is known to have epilepsy or recurrent seizures, their doctor should be notified so that medications can be adjusted or other instructions given.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeOften, a person who has had a new or severe seizure will be seen in an emergency room, rather than a doctor's office.
The health care provider will try to diagnose the type of seizure based on the symptoms.
Other medical conditions that can cause a seizure or similar symptoms will be ruled out. Disorders that may cause similar symptoms include fainting, TIA or stroke, rage or panic attacks, migraine headaches, sleep disturbances, and conditions that cause loss of consciousness.
The following tests may be done:
The need for further tests or treatment depends on a number of factors.
Instructions for taking any prescribed medications should be strictly followed. Family members should observe and record any seizure information to make sure the person gets proper treatment.
Good health habits may help to control seizures. Because sleep deprivation, stress, and a poor diet can contribute to increased seizures, good sleep habits, stress reduction, proper exercise, and sound nutrition may help.
There is no specific way to prevent all seizures. Use helmets when appropriate to prevent head injury. This will lessen the likelihood of a brain injury and subsequent seizures. Avoid recreational drugs. People with epilepsy should take medication as directed and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol.
People with uncontrolled seizures should not drive. Each state has a different law that determines which people with a history of seizures are allowed to drive. People with uncontrolled seizures also should avoid activities where loss of awareness would cause great danger, such as climbing to high places, biking, and swimming alone.
ReferencesDuvivier EH, Pollack CV Jr. Seizures. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 100.
Krumholz A, Wiebe S, Gronseth G, et al. Practice parameter: evaluating an apparent unprovoked first seizure in adults (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2007;69(21):1991-2007.
Rubin DH, Kornblau DH, Conway EE Jr, Caplen SM. Neurologic Disorders. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 173.
Walker SP, Permezel M, Berkovic SF. The management of epilepsy in pregnancy. BJOG. 2009 May;116(6):758-67.
A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion." Convulsions are when a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. During convulsions, the person's muscles contract and relax repeatedly. There are many different types of seizures. Some have mild symptoms and no body shaking.
See also:
Secondary seizures; Reactive seizures; Seizure - secondary; Seizure - reactive; Convulsions
ConsiderationsIt may be hard to tell if someone is having a seizure. Some seizures only cause a person to have staring spells. These may go unnoticed.
Specific symptoms depend on what part of the brain is involved. They occur suddenly and may include:
Symptoms may stop after a few seconds minutes, or continue for 15 minutes. They rarely continue longer.
The person may have warning symptoms before the attack, such as:
Seizures of all types are caused by disorganized and sudden electrical activity in the brain.
Causes of seizures can include:
Sometimes no cause can be identified. This is called idiopathic seizures. They usually are seen in children and young adults but can occur at any age. There may be a family history of epilepsy or seizures.
If seizures repeatedly continue after the underlying problem is treated, the condition is called epilepsy.
Home CareMost seizures stop by themselves. However, the patient can be hurt or injured during a seizure.
When a seizure occurs, the main goal is to protect the person from injury. Try to prevent a fall. Lay the person on the ground in a safe area. Clear the area of furniture or other sharp objects.
Cushion the person's head.
Loosen tight clothing, especially around the person's neck.
Turn the person on his or her side. If vomiting occurs, this helps make sure that the vomit is not inhaled into the lungs.
Look for a medical I.D. bracelet with seizure instructions.
Stay with the person until he or she recovers, or until you have professional medical help.
If a baby or child has a seizure during a high fever, cool the child slowly with tepid water. Do not place the child in a cold bath. You can give the child acetaminophen (Tylenol) once he or she is awake, especially if the child has had fever convulsions before.
For information on how to help someone who is having a seizure, see: Seizure first aid
Call your health care provider ifCall 911 or your local emergency number if:
Report all seizures to the person's health care provider. The doctor may need to adjust or change the person's medications.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeA person who has had a new or severe seizure is usually seen in a hospital emergency room. The health care provider will try to diagnose the type of seizure based on the symptoms.
Tests will be done to rule out other medical conditions that cause seizures or similar symptoms. This may include fainting, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, panic attacks, migraine headaches, sleep disturbances, and others.
Tests may include:
Further testing is needed if you have:
A single seizure due to an obvious trigger (such as use of a certain drug) is treated by eliminating or avoiding that trigger.
PreventionThere is no specific way to prevent all seizures. However, the following tips may help control some of them:
You might help lower your risk of seizures if you:
You should not drive if you have uncontrolled seizures. Every U.S. state has a different law detailing which people with a history of seizures are allowed to drive. If you have uncontrolled seizures, you should avoid activities where loss of awareness would cause great danger, such as climbing to high places, biking, and swimming alone.
ReferencesDuvivier EH, Pollack CV Jr. Seizures. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 100.
Krumholz A, Wiebe S, Gronseth G, et al. Practice parameter: evaluating an apparent unprovoked first seizure in adults (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2007;69(21):1991-2007.
Rubin DH, Kornblau DH, Conway EE Jr, Caplen SM. Neurologic Disorders. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 173.
Walker SP, Permezel M, Berkovic SF. The management of epilepsy in pregnancy. BJOG. 2009 May;116(6):758-67.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/04/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Having a brain seizure can be a terrifying experience. If you have a seizure, there was a problem with too much uncoordinated electrical activity in your brain.
In general, a seizure is when too many of your brain cells become excited at the same time. There are two different types of seizures, generalized and partial. With a generalized seizure, your brain has abnormal electrical activity on both sides of your brain. Partial seizures happen when electrical activity surges in one part of your brain.
Seizures can happen for many reasons:
It may be from high levels of salt or sugar in your blood; brain injury from a stroke or head injury; brain problems you are born with or perhaps a brain tumor.
Dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, high fever or illnesses or infections that hurt your brain. Illegal drug use or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use can cause seizures as well.
So, what are the signs that someone is having a seizure?
Some people with seizures may have simple staring spells, while others have violent, uncontrollable shaking and loss of consciousness. Some people will see flashing lights, others may hallucinate. Some people may have strange sensations, such as tingling, smelling an odor that isn't really there, or emotional changes.
Most people who have a seizure for the first time will go to the emergency room. The doctor will do tests to rule out medical causes, such as a stroke. You may have blood tests, CT or MRI scans of your head, or a spinal tap.
Treatment depends on the cause of your seizure. For example, if a seizure was caused by fever, treatment will focus on bringing the fever down.
Your doctor may send you home with some medicines to help you avoid having more seizures if there is reason to think you are at continued risk of seizures. You should get plenty of sleep and try to keep as regular a schedule as possible, and try to avoid too much stress.
Most people with seizures can have a very active lifestyle. Plan ahead for the possible dangers of a certain activity. Avoid any activity where loss of consciousness would be dangerous until it is clear that seizures are unlikely to occur again.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/25/2011
Alan Greene, MD, Author and Practicing Pediatrician; also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
seizures
how is hypoglycemia related to seizures?
Reduce seizures.
If you have a problem with seizures almost every video game can "cause" seizures.
Yes they can cause seizures. it depends what type of person you are like if your immune system is weak you can have seizures.
Why would you take Oxycontin/Oxycodone for seizures? It isn't used for seizures!
My dog had seizures before she passed. In animals it can be common. But if these seizures Increase, I would recommend a vet
stops all seizures in about two thirds of who have seizures and it also controls the electrical activities in the brain reducing chances of having seizures.
Epilepsy is the name of the illness. Someone who has epilepsy gets seizures. Epilepsy is the tendency to get seizures. Someone who gets regular seizures can be diagnosed as having Epilepsy.
If someone has regular seizures, then they have epilepsy. What causes their seizures can be many different things, as it is different for different people. What form their seizures take will also be different for different people.
Grand Mal Seizures
hyperventilation may trigger seizures