How do seizures occur

Aura: An aura or warning is the first symptom of a seizure and is considered part of the seizure. The aura can also occur alone and may be called a focal onset aware seizure , simple partial seizure or partial seizure without change in awareness. An aura can occur before a change in awareness or consciousness. Yet, many people have no aura or warning; the seizure starts with a loss of consciousness or awareness. Common symptoms during a seizure. Common symptoms after a seizure. Awareness, Sensory, Emotional, or Thought Changes : Slow to respond or not able to respond right away Sleepy Confused Memory loss Difficulty talking or writing Feeling fuzzy, lightlheaded, or dizzy Feeling depressed, sad, upset Scared Anxious Frustrated, embarrassed, ashamed Physical Changes : May have injuries, such as bruising, cuts, broken bones, or head injury if fell during seizure May feel tired, exhausted, or sleep for minutes or hours Headache or other pain Nausea or upset stomach Thirsty General weakness or weak in one part or side of the body Urge to go to the bathroom or lose control of bowel or bladder You are not alone.

Recommendations to Save Lives. Digital Self-Management Tool. Epilepsy Foundation My Seizure Diary. Authored By:. Reviewed By:. Wednesday, March 19, Our Mission The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. During the seizure, your lips may become tinted blue and your breathing may not be normal. After the seizure, you may be sleepy or confused.

The symptoms of a seizure may be like those of other health conditions. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and your health history. Lumbar puncture spinal tap , to measure the pressure in the brain and spinal canal and test the cerebral spinal fluid for infection or other problems.

The goal of treatment is to control, stop, or reduce how often seizures occur. Treatment is most often done with medicine. There are many types of medicines used to treat epilepsy.

Your healthcare provider will need to identify the type of seizure you are having. Medicines are selected based on the type of seizure, age of the person, side effects, cost, and ease of use. Medicines used at home are usually taken by mouth as capsules, tablets, sprinkles, or syrup. Some medicines can be given into the rectum. If you are in the hospital with seizures, medicine may be given by injection or intravenously by vein IV.

It is important to take your medicine on time and as prescribed by your doctor. All medicines can have side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible side effects. While you are taking medicine, you may need tests to see how well the medicine is working. You may have:. Blood tests. You may need blood tests often to check the level of medicine in your body. Based on this level, your healthcare provider may change the dose of your medicine.

You may also have blood tests to check the effects of the medicine on your other organs. Urine tests. Your urine may be tested to see how your body is reacting to the medicine.

Electroencephalogram EEG. An EEG is a procedure that records the brain's electrical activity. This is done by attaching electrodes to your scalp. This test is done to see how medicine is helping the electrical problems in your brain. This treatment sends small pulses of energy to the brain from one of the vagus nerves.

This is a pair of large nerves in the neck. If you have partial seizures that are not controlled well with medicine, VNS may be an option.

VNS is done by surgically placing a small battery into the chest wall. Small wires are then attached to the battery and placed under the skin and around one of the vagus nerves.

The battery is then programmed to send energy impulses every few minutes to the brain. When you feel a seizure coming on, you may activate the impulses by holding a small magnet over the battery. In many cases, this will help to stop the seizure. VNS can have side effects such as hoarse voice, pain in the throat, or change in voice. Surgery may be done to remove the part of the brain where the seizures are occurring.

Or the surgery helps to stop the spread of the bad electrical currents through the brain. Surgery for epilepsy seizures is very complex. It is done by a specialized surgical team. You may be awake during the surgery. The brain itself does not feel pain. 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. 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.

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:. 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. Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain.

Focal seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness:. Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness.

Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Different types of generalized seizures include:. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive the latest on epilepsy treatment, care and management. Error Select a topic. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.

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