What is a seizure?

A seizure is a symptom, not a disease. It is caused by a sudden abnormal discharge of electrical activity inside the brain. If the activity stays in one part of the brain, you experience tingling or twitching in a small part of your body. However, if the activity spreads in the brain, loss of consciousness and a grand mal seizure occurs.

Seizures that keep coming back are called epilepsy.

How does it occur?

A seizure is a symptom associated with many diseases and conditions including:

• head injury

• birth trauma

• brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis

• brain tumor

• stroke

• drug intoxication

• withdrawal from alcohol and drugs such as narcotics, cocaine, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills

• metabolic imbalances.

Two main categories of seizures are:

• focal or partial seizures that begin in a specific area of the brain (can sometimes spread to involve all of the brain)

• generalized seizures that seem to involve all of the brain from the beginning of the seizure.

These main categories are further divided into two types of seizures based on the pattern of the attack:

• grand mal (a generalized seizure): starts with a loss of consciousness and falling down, followed by a brief period of rigid muscles and a 1- to 2-minute period of violent, rhythmic convulsions; seizure ends with a few minutes of deep sleep before consciousness returns with no memory of the seizure.

• petit mal: a brief, sudden absence of consciousness, which lasts only seconds or minutes, but hundreds may happen each day; there may be fluttering eyelids but no other movement during the brief lapse of consciousness; full recovery takes only seconds. There is no memory of the seizure. Petit mal seizures usually begin in children age 6 to 12 years.

Status epilepticus is an uncontrolled series of seizures. It can be life-threatening and is treated as a medical emergency.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a seizure can include:

• twitching and tingling in part of the body (for example, the fingers and toes)

• muscle spasms spreading to arms and legs

• hallucinations

• intense feelings of fear or familiarity (deja vu)

• aura, a peculiar sensation occurring immediately before the seizure (for example, seeing flashing lights or hearing noise inside the ears)

• loss of consciousness.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose seizures your doctor will examine you and take your medical history. Your doctor may want you to have an EEG (which measures the waves of electrical activity produced by the brain) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). MRI uses magnetism and radio waves to produce a picture of the inside of your head. It is a safe, painless procedure.

How is it treated?

The treatment for seizures will depend on the cause. In some cases anticonvulsant drugs are prescribed. These medications can cause side effects, so your doctor may have to adjust the prescription.

If your seizures continue after taking medication, the doctor will check:

• the serum level of the drug

• that you are taking your medication daily

• that you aren't drinking alcohol or taking other drugs

• that you aren't taking another medication that may interfere with the anticonvulsant.

First aid for seizures:

• Loosen all tight clothing around the neck.

• Do not hold the person still; allow them to move freely. Move objects away from the person to avoid injury.

• Do not put anything in the person's mouth.

• Do not move the person during a seizure unless there is danger of further injury.

• Time how long the seizure lasts. If it lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes, call 911 for emergency help.

Long-term treatment may be necessary depending on the underlying disease, the side effects of the anticonvulsant drugs, and the psychiatric and social effects of the seizures.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor. In addition you can eat a nutritious diet and create a balance of work, rest, recreation, and exercise in your life. Keep a positive attitude and develop techniques to lessen stress. Wear a medical identification bracelet. Alert your supervisor and coworkers at work or teacher in school that you may have a seizure, and describe what should be done if one occurs. Avoid sports that are risky and high-risk jobs involving heavy or fast-moving equipment, or involving heights.

If you drive a car, you should stop driving until you have not had any seizures for 3 to 6 months. Some states require you to report a history of seizures to the Department of Motor Vehicles when you apply for a driver's license. Check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles for specific regulations.

What can be done to help prevent seizures?

Without knowing the cause, you can't prevent a seizure the first time.

It is important that you get enough sleep every night. Getting too little sleep is a major cause of seizures. In addition, report any body changes or symptoms to your doctor and:

• Avoid smoking.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Avoid mood-altering drugs, including stimulants and sedatives.

• If you start to develop a fever, reduce it immediately by taking aspirin or acetaminophen and use cool compresses on your body.

• Take your medication as directed.

• Call your doctor if side effects occur or begin changing.

• Keep all of your follow-up appointments with the doctor.