Seizures

Causes 

• Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. People with epilepsy may have a predisposition to experience seizures due to abnormal brain activity.
• A blow to the head, whether from an accident or injury, can disrupt normal brain function and lead to seizures. These are called post-traumatic seizures and can occur soon after the injury or even months later.
• Infections that affect the brain can cause seizures. Fever-related seizures, known as febrile seizures, are also common in young children.
• A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, leading to brain damage. Seizures can occur as a result of this disruption in brain function.
• Substance use or withdrawal can interfere with brain activity and cause seizures.
• The brain relies on a delicate balance of sodium, potassium, and calcium to function correctly. Imbalances in these chemicals can disrupt electrical activity and lead to seizures.
• Some people are born with genetic mutations that make them more susceptible to seizures. 

Types of Seizures

• Focal aware seizures: The person remains conscious and aware of what’s happening. Symptoms might include unusual sensations like tingling, dizziness, or flashes of light.
• Focal impaired awareness seizures: The person’s awareness is altered during the seizure. They might stare blankly, become confused, or engage in repetitive movements like blinking or chewing. They may not remember the event afterward.

• Absence seizures: Also known as petit mal seizures, these are brief episodes that cause someone to suddenly stop what they’re doing, stare into space, and be unresponsive for a few seconds. They are most common in children.
• Tonic-clonic seizures: Also called grand mal seizures, these are what people typically imagine when they think of seizures. They involve a loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body (tonic phase), followed by jerking movements (clonic phase). These seizures can last for a few minutes and are often accompanied by confusion afterward.
• Atonic seizures: Sometimes called “drop attacks,” these involve a sudden loss of muscle control, causing the person to collapse.
• Myoclonic seizures: These seizures cause brief, shock-like jerks in the muscles. They are often mistaken for twitches but can be more intense.

What to Do During a Seizure

• Stay calm: Most seizures last only a few minutes and resolve on their own.
• Time the seizure: If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, call emergency services immediately. Prolonged seizures can cause permanent brain damage.
• Keep the person safe: Clear the area of any objects that could cause injury. Gently guide the person to the floor if they are standing, and place something soft under their head to protect it.
• Do not restrain them: Never try to hold the person down or stop their movements. Let the seizure run its course.
• Turn them on their side: This can help prevent choking, especially if they vomit or have difficulty breathing.
• Do not put anything in their mouth: It’s a common myth that people can swallow their tongue during a seizure, but this is not true. Placing something in their mouth could cause choking or injury.
• Stay with them: After the seizure, the person may be confused or tired. Reassure them and stay with them until they are fully aware of their surroundings.

When to Seek Help

• The seizure lasts more than five minutes.
• It is the person’s first seizure.
• The person has difficulty breathing after the seizure.
• The seizure occurs in water.
• The person is injured during the seizure.