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A generalized tonic-clonic seizure is a seizure involving the entire body. It is also called a grand mal seizure. Such seizures usually involve muscle rigidity, violent muscle contractions, and loss of consciousness.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are the type of seizure that most people associate with the term "seizure," convulsion, or epilepsy. They may occur in people of any age, as a single episode, or as part of a repeated, chronic condition (epilepsy).
For more information see:
Alternative NamesSeizure - tonic-clonic; Seizure - grand mal; Grand mal seizure; Seizure - generalized
SymptomsMany patients have an aura (a sensory warning sign) before the seizure. This can include vision, taste, smell, or sensory changes, hallucinations, or dizziness.
The seizure itself involves:
- Loss of consciousness or fainting, usually lasting between 30 seconds and 5 minutes
- General muscle contraction and rigidity (tonic posture), usually lasting 15 - 20 seconds
- Violent rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation (clonic movement), usually lasting for 1 -2 minutes
- Biting the cheek or tongue, clenched teeth or jaw
- Incontinence(loss of urine or stool control)
- Stopped breathing or difficulty breathing during seizure
- Blue skin color
Almost all people lose consciousness, and most people have both tonic and clonic muscle activity.
After the seizure, the person usually has:
- Normal breathing
- Sleepiness that lasts for 1 hour or longer
- Loss of memory (amnesia) regarding events surrounding the seizure episode
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Confusion, temporary and mild
- Weakness of one side of the body for a few minutes to a few hours following seizure (This is called Todd's paralysis.)
For more information about diagnosis and treatment, see:
ReferencesDuvivier EH, Pollack Jr CV. Seizures. In: Marx, JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009: chap 100.
Kornblau DH, Conway Jr EE, 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.
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;69:1991-2007.
Schachter SC. Seizure disorders. Med Clin North Am. March 2009;93(2).
Trescher WH, Lesser RP. The Epilepsies. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jakovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008: chap 71.
Walker SP, Permezel M, Berkovic SF. The management of epilepsy in pregnancy. BJOG. 2009;116(6):758-67.
What else can I help you with?
What is a generalized seizure?
Generalized status can preferentially manifest with tonic, clonic, absence, and/or myoclonic seizures. Hence, status can be merely a prolongation of commonly observed individual seizure types.
Is a generalized seizure characterized by a loss of consciousness?
epilepsy
What is the final state of tonic clonic seizure?
Tonic-clonic seizures end in a final generalized spasm. The affected person can lose consciousness during tonic and clonic phases of seizure.
What causes generalized tonic clonic seizure?
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are associated with drug and alcohol abuse, and low levels of blood glucose (blood sugar) and sodium. Certain psychiatric medications, antihistamines, and even antibiotics can precipitate tonic-clonic seizures.
Can complex partial seizures become generalized seizures?
Spreading of the epileptiform (seizure)discharge during complex partial seizures can result in secondary generalization(which means a partial seizure may spread within the brain-a process known as secondary generalization )with a tonic-clonic convulsion(generalized seizures).so yes,complex partial seizures can become generalized.The mechanism of how this happens is not fully understood in medicine but there are various explanations !!!
Can a person having a seiure would know if they almost hit there head?
This sounds like a (grand mal) generalized seizure. No, they would know if they almost hit their head They have no memory of the event.
What regions of the brain are involved in a generalized seizure?
Generalized seizures involve widespread abnormal electrical activity throughout both hemispheres of the brain. Key regions implicated include the thalamus, which plays a crucial role in relaying signals and regulating consciousness, as well as the cortex, particularly the motor and sensory areas. This widespread activity disrupts normal brain function, leading to the characteristic symptoms of generalized seizures.
Do you loose memory when you have a Caesar?
Yes, many people experience some memory loss, or amnesia, after having a seizure, particularly if it is a generalized seizure or a prolonged one. This can involve difficulty recalling events that occurred just before or during the seizure. However, the extent of memory loss can vary depending on the individual and the type of seizure experienced. In some cases, memory may return over time, while others may have more persistent issues.
Diagnosis- Acquired Epileptic Aghasia NEUROLOGY Diag- Abnormal interictal EEG record suggestive of generalized seizure disorder. whats the teatment of this mri report is normal?
Antiseizure medications are necessary.
Can Grand Mal seizure be cited as cause of death in someone who does not have epilepsy?
Yes, a Grand Mal seizure, also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, can potentially be cited as a cause of death in someone who does not have epilepsy. This can occur in rare cases due to complications such as status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure, or sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP), even in individuals without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy. Other underlying health conditions or triggers may also contribute to the risk of fatality from a seizure. However, such occurrences are uncommon and typically require thorough investigation to determine the exact cause.
What kind of seizure is staring and daydreaming?
Staring and daydreaming can be indicative of absence seizures, a type of generalized seizure often seen in children. During an absence seizure, the person may appear to be "zoned out" or staring blankly into space, and they typically do not respond to external stimuli. These seizures usually last just a few seconds and can occur multiple times a day. Afterward, the individual often resumes normal activity without any memory of the event.
What agent causes pinpointed pupils excessive sweating nausea vomiting and generalized seizures?
any kind of over use of pain killers will cause pin pointed pupils. That is a major sign that over dose or a seizure is very near.
