Seizures: Causes, Types, and Symptoms

Seizure: What Happens During a Seizure? 

Seizures are unexpected, uncontrollable electrical disruptions in the brain’s neural networks that may impact consciousness levels, movements, behavior, and feelings. They are frequently a sign of the neurological condition epilepsy, but several other illnesses, including infections, head injuries, and metabolic abnormalities can also bring them on.

What can cause seizures: Lifestyle Factors

  • An elevated temperature. The seizure is referred to as a febrile seizure when this occurs.
  • A brain infection. This could involve encephalitis or meningitis.
  • Another severe general sickness.
  • Insufficient sleep.
  • Low blood sodium. When using medication that causes urination, this seizure can occur.
  • Some medications help individuals quit smoking, manage depression, or relieve pain. They may facilitate the occurrence of seizure.
  • A recent brain injury may cause a stroke or leakage of blood in the brain.
  • The use of drugs, whether legal or illicit, that are sold on the streets, such as cocaine and amphetamines.
  • Addiction to alcohol, excessive drinking, or withdrawal.

Seizure Symptoms: Identifying the Warning Signs

Seizure can cause a variety of symptoms, such as an abrupt change in awareness or total loss of consciousness, odd sensations or thoughts, uncontrollable twitching and shaking of the limbs, or extreme stiffness and twitching of the entire body.  twitching throughout the body. 

Understanding the Stages of a Seizure

Prodrome

This is not a seizure; rather, it is the first indication that one might happen. There may be an elusive feeling that a seizure could occur during the prodrome. Additionally, their behavior might have changed. This may occur only hours or even days before a seizure.

Auras might occur during the prodrome stage. A seizure’s aura is its initial sign. Deja vu, or the sensation that someone or somewhere is familiar, is one of the symptoms of an aura. Other symptoms include feeling unfamiliar or unrecognizable. Individuals may mostly feel strange feelings, like fear or panic, or even feel happy. Other possible symptoms include tastes, sounds, odors, distorted vision, and rushed thinking. Headache, tingling or numbness, nausea, or dizziness are examples of prodrome symptoms.

Ictal

The ictal phase is the middle portion of a seizure. The type of seizure determines the ictal phase symptoms.

Three stages of seizures
Stages of seizures

Postictal

This is the phase during recovery after a seizure. In the postictal stage, recovery can take minutes or hours. The kind of seizure and the area of the brain that was affected determine how long the postictal period lasts.

People may experience memory problems, be sluggish in reacting, and have difficulty speaking or writing during this phase. They could have drowsiness, confusion, vertigo, sadness, fear, anxiety, or frustration. In addition, they might experience weakness, nausea, headaches, thirst, or loss of bladder control.

Types of Seizure: Understanding the Differences

Seizures fall into two main categories: those with a focal onset and those with a generalized onset.

Depending on how the electrical discharges propagate throughout the brain, focal onset seizure can cause either moderate or severe symptoms. They start at one region of the brain.

Focal seizure that spread to both sides of the brain can be the precursor to generalized seizure. These seizures begin at the same time on both sides of the brain. Similar to a thermostat surge or a light flash, generalized onset seizures typically begin in childhood and are brought on by failing control between brain regions.

Focal Seizure

Depending on how much of the brain is affected, focal seizures can begin in one place and extend to other regions, resulting in either moderate or severe symptoms.

An aura is the term for the initial, modest symptoms that the person may experience. The individual may have changed emotions. Some aura sufferers describe feeling like they’re on a roller coaster when their stomach rises.

Additional symptoms emerge as the seizure travels across the brain. A broad portion of the brain may be affected by abnormal electrical activity, which can cause slight shaking, stiffness in the muscles, fumbling, or chewing motions in addition to confusion or disoriented feelings.

Focal seizures with impaired awareness

These seizures involve a shift in consciousness or a loss of awareness that resembles a dream. The person experiencing these seizures may appear awake, but they may stare off into space, and act out repetitive movements like rubbing their hands or mouths, repeating words, or walking in circles. They may also not remember having had the seizure.

Without impaired awareness

Changes in feelings may occur during these seizures. These episodes of seizures have the capacity to alter an object’s appearance as well as a person’s sensation of taste, smell, or sound. The consciousness would not be lost for the person though they only suddenly experience anger, joy, and sadness.

Some experience nausea or strange, difficult-to-describe sensations. Speaking difficulties and uncontrollable jerking of a bodily part, like the arm or leg, are possible side effects of these seizures. They may also result in unexpected sensory sensations such as light flashing, tingling, and dizziness.

Generalized and Focal seizures
Generalized and Focal seizures

Generalized Seizures

Absence Seizures

Children frequently experience absence seizures, also referred to as petit mal seizures. When someone has an absence seizure, they usually just look off into space or move their lips or eyes slightly. Typically, they last five to ten seconds. Seizures like these could occur hundreds of times every day. They can cause a momentary loss of consciousness and may appear in clusters.

Tonic Seizures

Muscle stiffness is a result of tonic seizures.The spine, lower limb, and upper limb muscles are affected by these seizures. These seizures make people collapse to the ground.

Atonic states seizure

The muscle control of the body will be lost for the individual. Individuals experiencing this kind of seizure may collapse or lose consciousness abruptly, also called drop seizures.

Clonic Seizures

Muscle-jerking episodes that reoccur are linked to clonic seizures. It may affect both sides of the body.

Myoclonic seizures

Usually, myoclonic seizures manifest as abrupt, fleeting jerks or twitches of the arms and legs. Thus, the people may not lose awareness.

Tonic-clonic seizures

It is called a grand mal seizures. They may induce a violent convulsion, rigidity, and trembling of the body. Individuals may bite their tongue or lose bladder control. They may stay for a few minutes. Additionally, localized type that spread to include most or all of the brain can be the beginning stage of tonic-clonic seizures. 

Seizure in Neonatal

Causes of neonatal seizure

There are several reasons why newborns develop seizures. Among them are:

  • Oxygen deprivation before or during delivery as a result of compression of the umbilical cord, difficult or protracted labor, or placental abruption (early separation of the placenta from the uterus).
  • Infections contracted either before or after birth, such as rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, viral encephalitis, or bacterial meningitis
  • Stroke during or following infancy
  • Blood clots in the brain
  • Bleeding within the skull
  • Birth abnormalities of the brain
  • Abnormalities in electrolytes or blood sugar
  • Metabolic conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), pyridoxine dependence, and maple syrup urine disease
  • Babies born to mothers with substance use disorders who have used alcohol, heroin, cocaine, methadone, barbiturates, or other drugs may experience drug withdrawal.
  • The baby’s mother or father will also have had the problem because this issue is inherited. While some kids with benign familial neonatal seizures may experience developmental problems that manifest in early life, most babies with these seizures develop properly, these seizures are known as benign familial neonatal seizures.

Symptoms of subtle seizures

Full-term newborns are more likely to experience subtle seizures. Among the symptoms are:

  • Eye motions that are erratic or wandering, such as rolling up the eyes, opening them, blinking, or fluttering
  • tongue sticking out, sucking, smacking, and chewing
  • unusual leg pedaling motions or cycling motions
  • thrashing or battling motions
  • extended breathing cessations, often known as apnea

Symptoms of clonic seizures

Clonic type are extremely short and uncommon in infants. They might go away on their own, but if not, ongoing care is necessary. Frequent jerking motions involving the face, mouth, arms, legs, and other body parts are among the symptoms.

Symptoms of tonic seizures

A baby normally experiences tonic seizures when they are asleep, and they usually last no more than 20 seconds. 

The following are signs of tonic seizures:

  • Persistent muscular tightness or stiffness in one or more bodily parts
  • Bending or stretching one or more of their upper and lower limbs, or rotating their head or eyes to one side

Symptoms of Myoclonic seizures

Pre-term babies are more likely than full-term babies to experience myoclonic type. Massive ones may be a sign of serious brain damage. Nevertheless, it might be challenging to identify if a seizure has occurred because the symptoms resemble those of a healthy baby’s regular movements. Rapid, single, repetitive jerking actions may affect one arm, one leg, or the entire body as one of the symptoms.

Examinations and Treatments for Childhood Seizures

Examinations to monitor medication for seizures

Blood examinations

To monitor the amount of medication in their body, children may require frequent blood tests. Thus, the healthcare professional may adjust the medication dosage based on this level and monitor the impact of the medication on their other organs.

EEG

Recording the brain’s electrical activity is called an EEG. Technicians connect the electrodes around the scalp. So this test aims to determine how the medication addresses the electrical impulses in the child’s brain.

Treatments may include

A dietary plan that contains ketones

This kind of diet has very little in the way of carbohydrates and a lot of fat. There’s enough protein in there to support growth. The body produces ketones as a result of the body fat breaks down. Ketones are a normal energy source for the heart and brain. This particular diet requires strict adherence. A high carbohydrate diet can avoid ketosis. Scientists don’t know why the diet is effective. However, some kids stop having seizures when they follow the diet. Not every child responds well to the diet. 

Stimulation for the vagus nerve

VNS can be a possibility for your child if they have partial seizures that are difficult to control with medication and they are 12 years of age or older, as they transmit the impulses to the brain. Surgeons surgically insert a small battery into the chest wall to perform VNS. They then connect the battery to small wires placed beneath the skin and around a vagus nerve. The battery can provide signals to the brain. A child can trigger the impulses by placing a little magnet over the battery when they sense a seizure coming on. Side effects with VNS include voice changes, sore throats, and hoarseness.

How to prevent seizures: Lifestyle Changes

Rest Well

To stabilize brain activity and reduce seizure risks, individuals should take 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Eat Regular Meals

Maintain a balanced diet and eat at regular intervals. Thus, skipping meals can cause blood sugar fluctuations, triggering seizures.

Avoid Flashing Lights

Minimize exposure to flashing lights and screens, they may trigger seizures. Thus use screen filters and take breaks to protect your eyes.

Monitor Fevers

High fevers can lead to seizures, especially in children. So, keep fevers under control with medication and consult a doctor if they persist.

Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity can boost overall health. So, exercise helps manage stress and improves brain function, reducing seizure frequency.

Stay away from Drugs and Alcohol

Avoid using recreational drugs and alcohol. Because this substances can interfere with seizure medications and trigger episodes.

Contact a Neurologist

To manage your problem, seek a specially trained neurologist. So, regular check-ups and tailored treatment plans are crucial for seizure prevention.

Immediate Seizure Relief: Medications That Work

The two forms of life-saving medications that are used to stop this seizure condition :

  • Buccal (oromucosal) midazolam, is administered into the buccal cavity.
  • Diazepam is administered rectally.

These two medications are sedatives that have a peaceful effect on the brain and halt seizures are known as sedatives. These emergency medications have the unusual potential to induce respiratory problems, thus the patient needs to be continuously monitored until they fully recover.

Conclusion

Seizures manifest in various forms, notably generalized and focal seizures, each with distinct characteristics and implications for individuals. Generalized type, including tonic-clonic, absence, and myoclonic seizures, affect the entire brain, whereas focal type originate in a specific brain area. Seizures in neonates present unique challenges, demanding early identification and intervention. Prevention strategies, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatments are crucial in managing seizure disorders. Immediate medications, such as Buccal (oromucosal) midazolam and Diazepam play a vital role in halting acute episodes, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical attention and ongoing care to improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for those affected by seizure. 

Source

Written by Snegkha S

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