What is a seizure?

A seizure is an abnormal electrical discharge within the brain that may or may not be associated with alteration or loss of consciousness. There are several sub-types of seizure, including those which manifest as isolated movements of muscle groups, sudden sensory complaints, sudden momentary or prolonged loss of awareness/consciousness, and even violent motor activity (convulsions).

 The basis for seizure activity may be either structural or metabolic. i.e. there can be a stroke, bleeding, or tumor in the brain that causes it. Alternatively, there may be a reaction to medication/illicit drugs, or an abnormal condition in the blood, e.g. low blood sugar, low magnesium, or other electrolyte derangement.

 Immediate treatment for a seizure is medically necessary, and Fire Rescue should be called right away if it should occur outside of a hospital setting.

Seizures result from abnormal  electrical activity in your brain.  How our seizure is classified is by the area or site of disturbance in your brain.  Seizures are divided into two major classes: generalized and partial.   Generalized seizures involves both sides of the brain.  Partial seizures may only be confined to one side of the brain but may spread to the entire brain.  A person having a partial seizure generally has an aura or warning sign associated before the start of the seizure. With a generalized seizure, the person has no warning or aura before the seizure.

A seizure is often described as haphazard electrical discharges of the brain that causes parts of the body to move erratically. There are a number of things that can trigger a seizure. Seizures are often the result of illness, head injury, stroke, aneurysm, low blood sugar, poisoning and high fever. Children up to age 5 are especially prone to fever-related seizures. Seizure activity can appear many different ways. Seizures will almost always spontaneously stop, and the victim will have a period of drowsiness, confusion or sleep before gradual awakening.

A seizure is a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes temporary, involuntary changes in body movement, function, sensation, awareness, or behavior.

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that may affect a person's muscle control, movement, speech, vision, or awareness (consciousness). The effects of seizures depend on a person's individual response, as well as the seizure type, frequency, and severity.

Some seizures make a person fall to the ground in convulsions, in which the muscles stiffen or jerk out of control. Others may stare as if in a trance, have only a few muscle twitches, or sense a strange smell or visual disturbance not experienced by anyone else.

Sometimes a seizure is a symptom of another medical problem, such as a high fever (especially in children), a stroke, infection, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), very low blood pressure, or a brain tumor.