Molly Ayala
Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can lead to a range of symptoms, including changes in behaviour, movement, and level of consciousness. This electrical activity can be the result of various factors, including medications, genetic factors, electrolyte abnormalities, sleep state, infections, brain inflammation, or injuries. There are two main types of seizures: focal seizures, which originate in one part of the brain and can spread, and generalized seizures, which occur when there are abnormal nerve discharges throughout the cortex of the brain simultaneously. Focal seizures are also known as partial seizures and can be further classified into focal onset aware seizures and focal onset impaired awareness seizures, depending on whether the individual is aware during the seizure. Generalized seizures can be either idiopathic, with no known cause, or symptomatic of an underlying condition. Treatment options for seizures include medication, nerve stimulation, diet therapy, and surgery, with the approach depending on the type, severity, and cause of the seizures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Seizures are due to sudden, temporary, abnormal electrical signals firing in the brain. |
| Brain Activity | Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes temporary changes in behaviour, movement, level of awareness, feelings, and memory. |
| Causes | Causes of seizures include medications, genetic factors, electrolyte abnormalities, sleep state, infections, brain inflammation, or injury. |
| Types | Focal seizures, generalized seizures, partial seizures, epileptic seizures, non-epileptic seizures, provoked seizures, unprovoked seizures, idiopathic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, tonic seizures, focal onset aware seizures, focal onset impaired awareness seizures, secondary generalized seizures, febrile seizures, and status epilepticus. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms of seizures include loss of consciousness, unusual sensations or thoughts, involuntary twitching or stiffness in the body, severe stiffening and limb shaking, confusion, minor shaking, muscle stiffening, fumbling or chewing motions, and convulsions. |
| Treatment | Treatment options for seizures include medication, nerve stimulation, diet therapy, epilepsy surgery, and vagus nerve stimulation. |
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What You'll Learn
- Focal seizures can start in one part of the brain and spread to others
- Febrile seizures are caused by a change in body temperature
- Seizures can be treated with medication, surgery, or nerve stimulation
- Tonic-clonic seizures cause muscles to stiffen and result in a loss of consciousness and convulsions
- Partial seizures are the most common type in adults and start in one area of the cortex
Focal seizures can start in one part of the brain and spread to others
Seizures are caused by a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells, or neurons. This causes neurons to fire signals uncontrollably to those around them, overloading the brain and leading to symptoms such as temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviours, sensations, or states of awareness.
Focal seizures, previously known as partial seizures, are seizures that happen in specific parts of the brain. They can be simple or complex, and they can also be focal aware seizures (simple partial seizures) or focal impaired awareness seizures (complex partial seizures). In a focal aware seizure, a person is fully awake and alert and may be able to recall events during the seizure. They may also experience an "aura", where they have altered feelings or a sense that something is about to happen. As the seizure spreads across the brain, more symptoms appear. If a large area of the brain is affected, a person may feel confused or experience shaking, muscle stiffening, or fumbling or chewing motions.
Focal impaired awareness seizures cause a person to lose awareness and experience confusion, and they are often unable to remember the seizure. Focal seizures can also sometimes progress to a loss of awareness and become tonic-clonic seizures.
Focal seizures are the most common type of seizure, making up over half of all seizures. They are most common in people who have had head injuries, birth abnormalities of the brain, febrile seizures in childhood, infections of the brain, strokes, brain tumours, or other conditions that affect the brain. They can be caused by any type of focal injury that leaves scar tissue, and they may have a genetic component.
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Febrile seizures are caused by a change in body temperature
Seizures are caused by a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells, which results in temporary abnormalities in movement, behaviour, sensations, or states of awareness. Focal seizures, which begin in one area of the brain, can spread to other areas, causing symptoms that vary in severity depending on how much of the brain is involved. On the other hand, generalized-onset seizures are surges of abnormal nerve discharges throughout the cortex of the brain that occur more or less simultaneously.
Febrile seizures, a type of generalized seizure, are provoked seizures that typically occur in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. They are characterized by a fever greater than 100.4 °F (38 °C) and are not associated with a central nervous system (CNS) infection or a history of seizures without a fever. Febrile seizures are usually the first type of seizure that a child experiences and are not indicative of epilepsy. They are typically brief, lasting a few minutes or less, and they resolve spontaneously without treatment or associated complications.
The exact cause of febrile seizures is unknown, but they are believed to be linked to the way a child's developing brain reacts to high fevers. Most febrile seizures occur during the initial rise in body temperature at the beginning of a fever. The risk of febrile seizures is influenced by various factors, including existing neurological impairment, viral infections, family history, developmental delay, and maternal smoking and stress.
While febrile seizures typically resolve on their own, it is important to remain calm and take appropriate actions during an episode. Place the child on their side on the floor or ground, remove nearby objects, loosen clothing around their head and neck, and monitor their breathing. If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or is accompanied by breathing difficulties or a bluish discoloration of the face, seek emergency medical attention.
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Seizures can be treated with medication, surgery, or nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a type of neuromodulation that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. It involves sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve, which is part of the autonomic nervous system and controls functions such as heart rate and breathing. The therapy consists of a device implanted under the skin in the left chest area, with an electrode or wire attached to the generator device and placed under the skin. The wire is then attached or wound around the vagus nerve in the neck.
If a person is aware that a seizure is happening, they can swipe a magnet over the generator in the left chest area to send an extra burst of stimulation to the brain, which may help stop the seizure. However, VNS may not be suitable for everyone. People with significant asthma or other breathing problems, sleep apnea, or certain heart problems may be advised against using VNS as it could worsen these conditions. It is important for anyone considering VNS or any other type of device to first check with their primary care doctor to ensure it is safe and suitable for them.
While VNS is a promising treatment option for seizures that do not respond to medication, it is not the only form of nerve stimulation therapy. Other devices and forms of therapy may be considered in consultation with a person's healthcare team, depending on their individual needs and circumstances. It is important to work closely with medical professionals to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for seizures.
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Tonic-clonic seizures cause muscles to stiffen and result in a loss of consciousness and convulsions
Tonic-clonic seizures, formerly known as grand mal seizures, are the most common seizure type seen in patients with epilepsy. They are easily recognisable and consist of two phases: a tonic phase, followed by a clonic phase. During the tonic phase, the person loses consciousness and experiences a stiffening of the body, which can impair breathing. Air being forced out of the lungs can cause the person to cry out or groan, and they may bite their tongue or the inside of their cheek, resulting in bloody saliva.
The clonic phase involves rhythmic jerking movements, which usually affect the face, arms, and legs. These movements can be intense and rapid, but after a few minutes, they slow down and the body relaxes. The person may lose control of their bladder or bowel, and their face may appear dusky or bluish.
Tonic-clonic seizures can be frightening to experience or witness, and they can last anywhere from one to three minutes. Following the seizure, the person may be sleepy, confused, irritable, or depressed, and they may not remember having a seizure. In some cases, people may exhibit abnormal or combative behaviour.
These seizures can start in one or both sides of the brain. When they originate on both sides, they are called generalized onset motor seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. They are characterised by impaired awareness or a complete loss of consciousness.
Seizures are caused by a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells, resulting in temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviours, sensations, or states of awareness. Tonic-clonic seizures are a type of generalised-onset seizure, which involves surges of abnormal nerve discharges throughout the cortex of the brain at the same time. This electrical activity can overload the affected areas of the brain, causing seizure symptoms.
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Partial seizures are the most common type in adults and start in one area of the cortex
Seizures are caused by the brain cells firing signals uncontrollably, resulting in a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity. This overload of electrical activity in the brain causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movement, behaviour, sensations, or states of awareness.
Partial seizures, also known as focal seizures, are the most common type of seizures in adults. They begin in one area of the cortex, or one part of the brain, and can spread to other areas, causing symptoms that range from mild to severe. This type of seizure can cause a loss of awareness, where the person may feel confused or dazed, or experience minor shaking, muscle stiffening, or fumbling or chewing motions. Others may experience unusual sensations and movements but remain aware of what is happening.
There are two main types of partial seizures: focal onset aware seizures and focal onset impaired awareness seizures. Focal onset aware seizures, previously known as simple partial seizures, are when a person is awake and aware during a seizure. The person may have altered feelings or a sense that something is about to happen (premonition). Focal onset impaired awareness seizures, previously known as complex partial seizures, are when a person is confused or their awareness is affected in some way during a seizure. They may cause a loss of awareness and can result in abnormal movements.
Partial seizures can also spread to both sides of the brain and become tonic-clonic seizures, which are characterised by muscle stiffness and rhythmic jerking. These seizures are important to treat and prevent as they can cause respiratory problems and injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells (neurons) that causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviours, sensations or states of awareness.
There are two main categories of seizures: focal onset and generalized onset. Focal onset seizures start in one area and can spread across the brain, while generalized-onset seizures are surges of abnormal nerve discharges throughout the cortex of the brain more or less at the same time.
Seizure treatment varies based on the type, severity and cause. Treatment options include managing any underlying conditions, taking anti-seizure medications, and surgery to address the area of the brain where seizures start.
