Academy of Health Care Management Journal

Seizures

A seizure happens of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may go nearly unnoticed it may cause unconsciousness and convulsions, when your body shakes uncontrollably. Seizures usually come on suddenly. How long and severe they are can vary. A seizure can happen to you just once, or more. If they keep coming back, that's epilepsy, or a seizure disorder. Less than one in 10 people who have a seizure get epilepsy. Experts put seizures into two general categories: Generalized Seizures These involve your entire brain from the start. Common subtypes include: Tonic-clonic (grand mal): This is the most common subtype. Your arms and legs get stiff, and you may stop breathing for a bit. Then your limbs will jerk around. Your head will move about, as well. Absence seizures (petit mal): You lose awareness briefly when you have one of these. Children get them more often than adults. Typically, they last only a few seconds. Febrile seizures: These are convulsions a child may have from a high fever caused by an infection. They can last a few minutes but are usually harmless. CONTINUE READING BELOW Infantile spasms: These usually stop by age 4. The child's body gets stiff suddenly and his head goes forward. Many kids who have these get epilepsy later in life. Partial (Focal) Seizures This type begins in a specific area of the brain. They may spread to the entire brain. There are two types: If you focal onset aware seizure, you remain conscious. You may not be able to respond to people while it's happening. Focal onset impaired awareness seizures can cause unconsciousness. You may also do things without knowing it, like lip smacking, chewing, moving your legs, or thrusting your pelvis.