seizure

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in

the brain. It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or
feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Having two or more
seizures at least 24 hours apart that aren't brought on by an
identifiable cause is generally considered to be epilepsy.

Created By: Hussain Afzal

There are many types of seizures, which range in symptoms and
severity. Seizure types vary by where in the brain they begin and how
far they spread. Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A
seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency.

Seizures are more common than you might think. Seizures can happen
after a stroke, a closed head injury, an infection such as meningitis or
another illness. Many times, though, the cause of a seizure is unknown.

Most seizure disorders can be controlled with medication, but

management of seizures can still have a significant impact on your
daily life. The good news is that you can work with your doctor to
balance seizure control and medication side effects.

Created By: Hussain Afzal

Symptoms

With a seizure, signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary
depending on the type of seizure. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:
•Temporary confusion
•A staring spell
•Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
•Loss of consciousness or awareness
•Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or déjà vu

Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how

and where abnormal brain activity begins. Seizures may also be classified as
unknown onset, if how the seizure began isn't known.

Created By: Hussain Afzal

Focal seizures
Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain. Focal
seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness:

•Focal seizures with impaired awareness. These seizures involve a change or loss of

consciousness or awareness that feels like being in a dream. You may seem awake, but
you stare into space and do not respond normally to your environment or you perform
repetitive movements. These may include hand rubbing, mouth movements, repeating
certain words or walking in circles. You may not remember the seizure or even know that
it occurred.

•Focal seizures without loss of consciousness. These seizures may alter emotions

or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound, but you don't lose
consciousness. You may suddenly feel angry, joyful or sad. Some people have nausea
or unusual feelings that are difficult to describe. These seizures may also result in
difficulty speaking, involuntary jerking of a body part, such as an arm or a leg, and
spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and seeing flashing lights.

Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as
migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness.
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 Generalized seizures
Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized
seizures. Different types of generalized seizures include:

•Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal

seizures, often occur in children and are characterized by staring into
space or by subtle body movements, such as eye blinking or lip
smacking. They usually last for five to 10 seconds but may happen up to
hundreds of times per day. These seizures may occur in clusters and
cause a brief loss of awareness.

•Tonic seizures. Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These

seizures usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may
cause you to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.

•Atonic seizures. Atonic seizures, also known as drop seizures, cause

a loss of muscle control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse, fall
down or drop your head.

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•Clonic seizures. Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic,
jerking muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and
arms on both sides of the body.

•Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks

or twitches of your arms and legs. There is often no loss of consciousness.

•Tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal

seizures, are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an
abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss
of bladder control or biting your tongue. They may last for several minutes.

Created By: Hussain Afzal

 When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical help if any of the following occurs:

•The seizure lasts more than five minutes.

•Breathing or consciousness doesn't return after the seizure stops.
•A second seizure follows immediately.
•You have a high fever.
•You're experiencing heat exhaustion.
•You're pregnant.
•You have diabetes.
•You've injured yourself during the seizure.

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 Causes

Nerve cells (neurons) in the brain create, send and receive

electrical impulses, which allow the brain's nerve cells to
communicate. Anything that disrupts these communication
pathways can lead to a seizure. Some types of seizure disorders
may be caused by genetic mutations.

The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy. But not every

person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may
be caused or triggered by:

Created By: Hussain Afzal

•High fever, which can be associated with an infection such as meningitis
•Lack of sleep
•Flashing lights, moving patterns or other visual stimulants
•Low blood sodium (hyponatremia), which can happen with diuretic therapy
•Medications, such as certain pain relievers, antidepressants or smoking
cessation therapies, that lower the seizure threshold
•Head trauma that causes an area of bleeding in the brain
•Abnormalities of the blood vessels in the brain
•Autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple
sclerosis
•Stroke
•Brain tumor
•Use of illegal or recreational drugs, such as amphetamines or cocaine
•Alcohol misuse, during times of withdrawal or extreme intoxication
•COVID-19 virus infection

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 Complications
Having a seizure can sometimes lead to circumstances that are dangerous for
you or others. You might be at risk of:
•Falling. If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone.
•Drowning. If you have a seizure while swimming or bathing, you're at risk of
accidental drowning.
•Car accidents. A seizure that causes loss of either awareness or control can be
dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment.
•Pregnancy complications. Seizures during pregnancy pose dangers to both
mother and baby, and certain anti-epileptic medications increase the risk of birth
defects. If you have epilepsy and plan to become pregnant, work with your doctor
so that he or she can adjust your medications and monitor your pregnancy, as
needed.
•Emotional health issues. People with seizures are more likely to have
psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Problems may be a
result of difficulties dealing with the condition itself as well as medication side
effects.

Created By: Hussain Afzal