What is a seizure?
Your body reacts to normal electrical signals sent from the brain to different parts of your body. A seizure occurs when the brain has a sudden burst of these electrical signals that is not normal. This disrupts the normal function of your body for a brief time. Epilepsy is a chronic condition that makes people prone to having seizures that recur and are often without triggers.
What a Seizure Looks Like
Signs of a seizure can be very different for each person. Some may include:
Twitching of one specific part of the body
Violent, uncontrolled shaking of the body
Staring off into space
Lip smacking
Memory loss
Eyes “rolling back into the head”
Sudden loss of consciousness
Causes of Seizures
There are many causes of seizures. Sometimes, we do not know what triggers a seizure. Other times, causes may include:
Congenital (born with seizures)
High fevers
Tumors in the brain
Blood in the brain
Stroke
Aneurysm in the brain
Cyst in the brain
Head injury
Infection
Very low blood sugar
Withdrawal from medicines or drugs
Withdrawal from alcohol
Illnesses like meningitis or encephalitis
Lack of oxygen to the brain
Phases of Seizure Activity
There are 3 phases of a seizure.
Aura: a sensation or feeling you might have before the physical part of the seizure begins.
Ictal: the time during which the seizure occurs.
Family and staff should protect you from self-harm during the seizure.
They should avoid putting anything into your mouth, as this will only cause more irritation.
They should also try to keep your head away from any hard objects.
Post-ictal: the time after the seizure.
You may feel weak and sleepy. You could be hard to wake up or may be confused.
Will I always have seizures?
The cause of your seizures will impact how long you are likely to have seizures. Some seizures don’t recur after the cause is treated. Other seizures persist even after the cause has been treated. Your doctor will have a better idea of how long you can expect to have seizures.
How to Diagnose a Seizure
Health history
Physical exam
Blood tests
EEG (electroencephalography) records the electrical activity in your brain. Pain-free electrodes are placed on your scalp to record the test results.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a very strong magnet to make a “picture” of your brain.
CT or CAT scan (computed tomography) also makes a “picture” of your brain, but it can show different images than an MRI.
How to Treat a Seizure
Medicine: You may be placed on one or more medicines, based on how your body reacts to the treatment. This is the first step for seizure control. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking with your doctor first.
Surgery: Reasons for surgery depend on where the seizures come from in the brain and if medicines do not help stop the seizures. It can also depend on the cause. Causes can include tumors, cysts, aneurysms, or blood in the brain.
Types of Surgery:
Craniotomy: to remove a tumor, cyst, blood or aneurysm that may be causing the seizures.
Lobectomy: to remove the part of the brain that is the source of seizures.
Vagal nerve stimulator: a device that sends electrical signals to the vagus nerve, a large nerve that leads to the brain.
How Seizures can Affect Daily Activities
Until your seizures are well controlled, you will not be allowed to drive.
Limit alcohol and illegal drug use. Both can cause seizures and may interact with your seizure medicines.
You may have mild memory loss from the seizures which could affect your daily routines.
Do not swim alone. Be sure to have friends or family with you.
Keep bathroom doors unlocked while bathing. If you have a seizure while in the bathroom, others can help you more quickly.
Resources
You can still lead an active life despite having seizures. These guidelines are to help keep you safe. If you have questions, ask your doctor or nurse. You may find the resources on the next page helpful also.
Epilepsy Foundation
3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675
Bowie, MD 20716
Helpline: 800-332-1000
Web site: https://www.epilepsy.com
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Office of Scientific and Health Reports
Room 8A-06, MSC 2540
31 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Toll free: 800-352-9424
Web site: https://www.ninds.nih.gov
American Academy of Neurology
201 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 928-6000
Web site: www.aan.com