What are the main types of seizures? How to diagnose and treat seizures?

Seizures can occur in a wide variety of ways, depending on their cause. These include uncontrolled convulsions that continue or stop suddenly, as well as other types of "atonic" seizures.

Seizures can also cause an abnormal pattern of brain waves. These can cause "hypokinesia," meaning that they stop the normal movement of the brain.

It is important to differentiate between different types of seizures, which include tonic-clonic seizures (usually called grand mal seizures) and status epilepticus (also called status epilepticus).

Tonic-clonic seizures

A tonic-clonic seizure (also called a grand mal seizure) is a type of seizure that is characterized by rapid movement in all parts of the body, as well as jerking or shaking of the limbs, head, and neck. They usually involve more than one part of the body at once, and it is possible to feel the seizure start even before the body starts moving.

Because tonic-clonic seizures affect more than one body part at a time, they can also be called complex partial seizures. This form of seizure can cause loss of consciousness and a feeling of drowning or suffocation. It is not known if any sort of breathing helps.

Tonic-clonic seizures can last from a few seconds to minutes and can be accompanied by abnormal movements that can be interpreted as epileptic fits. Seizures of this sort are one of the most serious kinds of seizure.

A tonic-clonic seizure is different from a simple partial seizure in that a simple partial seizure lasts just seconds and leaves little or no lasting effects.

Status epilepticus

Seizures of this type occur suddenly, stop suddenly, and last for many hours. They can continue with no sign of stopping and can cause a person to experience periods of hypoglycemia, when the blood sugar falls to a dangerously low level.

Less than 1 percent of people who have status epilepticus survive, and there is no evidence that anyone who has an episode will be spared future seizures.

While some people may remember going through a status epilepticus, this is not often the case.

Seizures caused by intoxication

Alcohol can trigger seizures, in the same way that many other medications can, for instance. The condition is called "acute alcohol syndrome," and it can affect both people and animals.

An individual can develop an alcohol-induced seizure because the person has an abnormally low body temperature, which can make the brain think that the body is colder and therefore susceptible to seizures.

Another common cause is an overdose of an epilepsy drug. However, an overdose will usually make a person feel very sick and incoherent.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis

A condition called alcoholic ketoacidosis (AK) is the most severe form of ketoacidosis. In AK, the body breaks down the glucose in the blood to produce ketones. A person with AK will have a high level of ketones in the blood, but this does not cause a seizure.

More than 90 percent of people with alcoholic ketoacidosis will go into a coma. Seizures in those people will be extremely powerful and may last for many hours.

As well as being the most dangerous form of ketoacidosis, AK is the most difficult to treat. Treatment can be incredibly toxic to the body.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a seizure involves identifying the symptoms, recording the information, and assessing whether the person is alert and responsive.

Some people may feel ill, experience dizziness, or have abnormal breathing. People with brain injuries or abnormalities may also have seizure-like activity.

If a person suspects that they have a seizure, they should seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment

The most common treatment for a tonic-clonic seizure is a diazepam dose. This drug, available under brand names such as Valium, works by slowing down brain activity, blocking the neurotransmitter that causes seizures.

One in five people have seizures that respond to antiepileptic medications. Most patients are offered one to three seizures before they can start taking a specific antiepileptic drug.

The treatment for status epilepticus includes inserting a catheter in the brain. The insertion of the catheter allows doctors to monitor the person's blood glucose levels and monitor seizures.

If a person has a tonic-clonic seizure, a person should stay calm, not try to move, and avoid calling out or making other loud noises. If the person is awake, they should remain as calm and quiet as possible.

In a small number of people, medications or surgery may stop a seizure from happening.

In some cases, the cause of the seizures is not known. In other cases, a person has a problem with the side effects of the medications or surgery, or with the underlying condition.

Excessive vomiting or diarrhea from antiemetics can also cause a person to lose consciousness. A person who is vomiting or has diarrhea from a seizure may not recover their condition.

It is not possible to predict how long a person will experience a seizure for. It can last for just a few minutes or for much longer, depending on the cause of the seizure.

Seizures are often triggered by different triggers throughout the day, but often do not happen for a specific reason.

The seizure itself may or may not be the cause of a person's unconsciousness or other problems.

Takeaway

The most severe form of a seizure is a tonic-clonic seizure, which can last for many hours. A tonic-clonic seizure occurs when a person's brain forgets to tell the body to breathe or release the nervous system's automatic brakes.

When a seizure ends, the person may be drowsy or weak. The person will be tired, confused, and uncomfortable, but they should recover quickly from the episode.

A person who experiences a tonic-clonic seizure should call emergency services or visit a doctor immediately. A person may be able to treat a seizure by keeping quiet and calm. If an antiepileptic medication does not work, a person should talk to a doctor about other alternatives.

Seizures can cause long-term problems for the person. A person with a seizure disorder may be at an increased risk of having a more serious seizure later.

When a person has seizures, they should get plenty of rest, avoid taking extra medication, and try to avoid similar triggers.

The doctor will decide what treatment options are best for the person and their needs. A seizure disorder may need the support of a treatment team and family doctor.

People can improve their recovery by working closely with their doctor and keeping records of seizures and medications.

Seizures are more common in children, and many people experience some type of seizure as a child.

Seizures usually stop spontaneously at some point, and most people have no problems with them later in life. However, a person may have a seizure disorder and may need help to control it.

Seizures should never be dismissed as a normal part of childhood. A person who has a seizure should be aware of the risks, have any medicines or treatments they are prescribed reviewed, and talk to their doctor about any other medical conditions or medications.

If a seizure becomes out of control, the person should seek immediate medical help.

Although most people can learn to cope with seizures, the episodes can still be distressing and frightening. Seizures may happen when a person is taking a new medication, have a new injury, or are exposed to a trigger.

Seizures often stop spontaneously as a person gets older. However, a person who has an episodic seizure disorder may experience them again at some point.

When to see a doctor?

Anyone who has a seizure or has a seizure-like illness should seek emergency medical attention. Anyone who has a seizure or has a seizure-like illness should seek emergency medical attention.

A person who has a seizure should call an ambulance and tell them where they live. A doctor should be notified immediately.

Seizures are common, especially in children. Some people have a lifelong seizure disorder, and others will have periods of time when seizures are normal.

Anyone who has a seizure should contact their doctor and ensure that they have all the information about their medical history.

If a person has multiple seizures, they should see a doctor and get any medications or treatment that the doctor prescribes to control seizures.

A person should be careful to ensure that their doctor is on hand if they have another seizure, as seizures can be more severe when an individual experiences them alone.

Seizures are not dangerous and do not usually cause lasting damage, but they can be extremely upsetting for the person.

If a person has a seizure or another seizure-like experience and they become unconscious or have other problems, they should call an ambulance immediately. A doctor can help the person recover from the episode or, if needed, advise them of the risks of further seizures.

Further research is needed to understand more about the causes of seizures and the development of them.