Seizures
Alternative Names:
Epilepsy, epileptic seizures, convulsions, fits, absence seizure, grand mal or generalized tonic-clonic seizure, partial seizure
Definition:
A seizure occurs when the brain is disturbed by electrical impulses throughout the brain.
Symptoms:
Patients demonstrating symptoms of a seizure may express symptoms that vary greatly in their severity. There are six different types of seizures and symptoms vary accordingly. In the case of absence seizures, few symptoms are expressed and the patient typically stops activity and stares. For patients experiencing the most common type of seizure, the grand mal seizure, the patient may lose consciousness and collapse and experience stiffening of the body for a minute before violent jerking movements occur. Additional symptoms of other types of seizures include jerking movements, stiffening of the muscles, loss of muscle tone which may result in falling, memory disturbance, and automatisms (including chewing, fidgeting and involuntary movements).
Exams/Testing:
A physical examination of the patient is often the first step in testing for abnormal brain function that may lead to seizures. An electroencephalograph (EEG), an electrical reading on the brain, will reveal any abnormal electrical activity and may indicate where the seizure originated in the brain. A CT or MRI scan and lumbar puncture may also be administered. Blood tests may also be completed.
Outlook/Prognosis:
Depending on the type of seizure a patient experiences, the prognosis will vary. Medication will typically be prescribed and taken for an extended period of time, though some patients may be able to stop taking seizure medication after experiencing no seizures for several years.
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