Seizures

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness.

What causes a seizure?

A seizure occurs when the electrical impulses created and sent or received by neurons (nerve cells) in the brain are disrupted.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of seizures is epilepsy; however, not every individual who suffers a seizure has epilepsy.

Other causes of seizures include:

• Alcohol abuse during withdrawal or extreme intoxication

• Brain tumors

• Head trauma causing bleeding in an area of the brain

• High fever

• Illegal or recreational drugs

• Lack of sleep

• Low blood sodium, aka hyponatremia, possibly from taking diuretics

• Medications, including certain pain relievers, smoking cessation treatments, and antidepressants

• Stroke

What does a seizure look like?

Seizures can take many forms and individuals experiencing one can have a range of symptoms.

• Temporary confusion

• A staring spell

• Loss of consciousness or awareness

• Emotional or cognitive symptoms including anxiety, deja vu, and fear

• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

When to call 911

Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if: 

• A seizure lasts more than 5 minutes

• A second seizure follows immediately after the first seizure stops

• Breathing or consciousness don’t return after the seizure stops

• The individual is experiencing a high fever or heat exhaustion

• If the individual is pregnant or has diabetes

• If an injury occurs during the seizure

Risks of seizures

You can suffer one or more problems due to seizure, including falling, drowning, car accidents (if you are operating a car or other vehicle), pregnancy complications, and emotional health issues.

Falling during a seizure may cause a broken bone or head injury. Seizures during pregnancy can put both the mother and the baby at risk.

Types of seizures

Seizures are classified as general if the disruption is to all areas of the brain, or focal, if a specific area is disrupted.

Focal seizures

• Can occur with or without loss of consciousness

• May stare into space and not respond

• May show repetitive motions like chewing, swallowing, walking in circles, or hand rubbing

General seizures

• Absence seizures – often seen in children, and include staring into space, eye blinking, lip smacking, or other subtle movements. They may occur in clusters and cause loss of awareness.

• Tonic seizures – cause stiffening of the muscles, particularly in the arms, legs and back, causing the individual to fall.

• Atonic seizures or drop seizures – cause loss of muscle control resulting in collapse or fall.

• Clonic seizures – cause muscles to jerk with a rhythmic or repeated movement, typically in the face, arms and neck.

• Myoclonic seizures – cause brief jerks or twitches of the arms and legs.

• Tonic-clonic seizures – can cause loss of consciousness, tongue biting and occasionally loss of bladder control. The most dramatic type of seizure.

If you think you or a family member has suffered or is suffering a seizure, call 911 or visit Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Emergency & Urgent Care. Our staff is fully equipped to handle any of your symptoms with on-site labs, X-rays, ultrasound and CT scans, all under one roof.