What is a tonic clonic seizure?

Answer 1

This type of seizure many people think of when they hear the word epilepsy. Marked by loss of consciousness and stiffening and/or jerking of the muscles throughout the body, including arms and legs, these seizures are often referred to as grand mal seizures. The term tonic-clonic refers to certain kinds of body movements that appear during the seizures. Tonic means sudden stiffening of the limbs; clonic refers to rhythmic jerking.

Answer 2

These are characterized by a rapid loss of consciousness with loss of muscle tone, tonic spasm, and jerks. The muscles become rigid for about 30 seconds during the tonic phase of the seizure and alternately contract and relax during the clonic phase

Answer 3

This is the most common type among all age groups and is categorized into several phases beginning with vague symptoms hours or days before an attack. These seizures are sometimes called grand mal seizures.

Answer 4

These are typically characterized by a sustained nonvibratory contraction of muscles in the legs and arms. Consciousness is also impaired during these episodes.

Answer 5

The clonic phase consists of muscular contractions with alternating periods of no movements (muscle atonia) of gradually increasing duration until abnormal muscular contractions stop.

Answer 6

Absence seizures