Seizure

Seizure can also refer to the act of taking hold of property, for this meaning see Seizure (law)
A video of a seizure. It also shows possble first aid.
Someone who has bitten the tip of their tongue while having a seizure

A convulsion or seizure happens when the body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in uncontrolled shaking. Because epileptic seizures typically include convulsions, the term convulsion is sometimes used as a synonym for seizure. However, not all epileptic seizures lead to convulsions, and not all convulsions are caused by epileptic seizures.

A seizure happens when the nerves in a person's brain act strangely. Nerves send information, partly through electrical signals. Usually, nerves in the brain (called neurons) do not fire at the same time. During a seizure, groups of nerves start firing together, too fast. This causes there to be too much disorganized electrical activity in the brain.

People have seizures because of a pre-existing condition or a newly-acquired illness or disorder.However anybody can be at risk of a stroke or seizure. The most common cause of an unexpected seizure usually involves a surplus of stress on the brain. This can be many from many variables including: A new job, the loss of a loved one, or changing medication.

Types of Seizures

There are many different types of seizures. They are named by how much of the brain they affect and what happens to the person when they are having that type of seizure.

Partial seizures

In partial seizures, only a small part of the brain is involved in the seizure. These seizures can be more specifically called:

Generalized seizures

In generalized seizures, a larger part of the brain is involved in the seizure. Often, parts of both hemispheres (halves of the brain) are affected. These seizures can be more specifically called:

Status epilepticus: A medical emergency

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency. A person is "in status" when:

  • They have a seizure that lasts more than five minutes; OR
  • They have more than one seizure without recovering in between.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency because the brain will not get enough oxygen during a long seizure. This can cause brain damage or death.

What Causes Seizures?

A brain tumor can cause a seizure

Certain types of seizures point to a disorder called epilepsy, where the nerves do not work as they should. They carry the wrong messages to the brain so that the person moves uncontrollably or sees, hears, smells, feels, or tastes things that are not there. Medicine can be taken to prevent this from happening.

Other than epilepsy, many other things can cause seizures.

Illnesses

Diseases that can cause seizures include:

A head injury can also cause a seizure

Drugs and alcohol

Drugs and alcohol can cause seizures:

Other causes

Other things that can cause seizures include:

Possible first aid

Most seizures only last a short time. The best thing to do is to prevent the person with the seizure from hurting themselves. During a seizure, reflexes do not work, and the people with the seizure do not have control over their muscles.

References

  1. 1 2 3 MedlinePlus Encyclopedia Seizures
  2. ↑ Somjen, George G. (2004). Ions in the Brain Normal Function, Seizures, and Stroke. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 167. ISBN 9780198034599.
  3. ↑ "Epilepsy". Fact Sheets. World Health Organization. October 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Schachter, MD, Steven C.; Shafer, Patricia O.; Sirven, Joseph I. (August 2013). "Status epilepticus". www.epilepsy.com. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Seizures". www.nlm.nih.gov. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. February 3, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Febrile Seizures". KidsHealth.org. September 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "NINDS Cerebral Hypoxia Information Page". www.ninds.nih.gov. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  8. ↑ Schachter, Steven C.; Shafer, Patricia O. (August 2013). "Triggers of Seizures". www.epilepsy.com. The Epilepsy Foundation. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  9. ↑ "What to Do If You Have a Seizure During Detox". Addiction Helper. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  10. 1 2 Schuckit, M.D, Marc A. (November 27, 2014). "Recognition and Management of Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium Tremens)". New England Journal of Medicine. 371 (22): 2109–2113. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298. PMID 25427113. S2CID 205116954. Retrieved December 13, 2015.