What is a Seizure? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

A seizure is a sudden burst of electrical activity in your brain that temporarily disrupts normal brain function. Think of it like an electrical storm in your brain that can cause changes in your behavior, movements, feelings, or level of consciousness.

While seizures can be frightening to witness or experience, it's important to know that many people who have seizures go on to live full, active lives. Understanding what happens during a seizure and knowing how to respond can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about this condition.

What are the symptoms of a seizure?

Seizure symptoms vary widely depending on which part of your brain is affected and how much of your brain is involved. Some seizures are barely noticeable, while others are more dramatic and obvious.

Here are the most common signs you might notice during different types of seizures:

• Temporary confusion or staring spells that last several seconds
• Uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs
• Loss of consciousness or awareness of surroundings
• Sudden falls without apparent cause
• Repetitive movements like lip smacking or hand rubbing
• Strange sensations like tingling, unusual smells, or visual disturbances
• Muscle stiffness or sudden muscle weakness
• Difficulty speaking or making unusual sounds

Some people experience warning signs called auras before a seizure begins. These might include feeling anxious, having stomach butterflies, or sensing unusual smells or tastes.

After a seizure, you might feel confused, tired, or have difficulty remembering what happened. This recovery period can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and that's completely normal.

What are the types of seizures?

Doctors classify seizures into two main categories based on where they start in your brain and how they affect you. Understanding these types can help you better communicate with healthcare providers about what you're experiencing.

Focal seizures start in one specific area of your brain. During a simple focal seizure, you stay conscious but might experience strange sensations, emotions, or movements in one part of your body. Complex focal seizures affect your consciousness and might cause you to stare blankly, make repetitive movements, or seem confused.

Generalized seizures involve both sides of your brain from the start. The most recognizable type is a tonic-clonic seizure (formerly called grand mal), which causes muscle stiffening followed by jerking movements. Absence seizures cause brief staring spells that are easily mistaken for daydreaming, especially in children.

Other generalized seizures include myoclonic seizures that cause sudden muscle jerks, and atonic seizures that cause sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to falls. Each type requires different treatment approaches, which is why proper diagnosis is so important.

What causes seizures?

Seizures happen when there's a sudden change in the electrical activity of your brain cells. While this might sound complicated, there are many different reasons why this electrical disruption can occur.

The most common causes include:

• Epilepsy - a neurological condition that makes seizures more likely to happen
• High fever, especially in young children (febrile seizures)
• Head injuries from accidents or trauma
• Low blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes
• Alcohol withdrawal after heavy drinking
• Certain medications or drug interactions
• Sleep deprivation or extreme stress
• Infections affecting the brain like meningitis or encephalitis

Less common but serious causes include brain tumors, stroke, or genetic conditions. Sometimes, despite thorough testing, doctors cannot identify a specific cause, and that's called an idiopathic seizure.

It's worth noting that having one seizure doesn't automatically mean you have epilepsy. Many people experience a single seizure due to a temporary condition and never have another one.

When should you see a doctor for a seizure?

You should seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else experiences a seizure for the first time. Even if the seizure stops on its own, it's important to get evaluated to understand what caused it and prevent future episodes.

Call emergency services right away if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if someone has multiple seizures without recovering between them, or if the person is injured during the seizure. Also seek immediate help if someone has trouble breathing after a seizure or doesn't wake up normally afterward.

Schedule a regular appointment with your doctor if you've had seizures before but notice changes in their pattern, frequency, or intensity. Your medication might need adjustment, or there could be new triggers affecting your condition.

If you have diabetes and experience a seizure, this could indicate dangerously low blood sugar levels that need immediate treatment. Similarly, if you're pregnant and have a seizure, this requires urgent medical evaluation.

What are the risk factors for seizures?

While seizures can happen to anyone at any age, certain factors make them more likely to occur. Understanding your risk factors can help you and your healthcare provider develop the best prevention and treatment strategy.

Age plays a significant role in seizure risk. Children under 2 years old and adults over 65 have higher chances of experiencing seizures. In children, this often relates to developmental factors or febrile seizures, while in older adults, it's frequently connected to other health conditions.

Several medical conditions increase seizure risk:

• Family history of epilepsy or seizures
• Previous head injuries or brain trauma
• Stroke or other brain blood vessel problems
• Dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• Brain infections or tumors
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Sleep disorders or chronic sleep deprivation

Lifestyle factors can also influence your seizure risk. Heavy alcohol use, recreational drug use, and extreme stress all make seizures more likely. Even missing doses of seizure medications if you have epilepsy significantly increases your risk.

What are the possible complications of seizures?

While many seizures end without causing harm, complications can occur, especially with frequent or prolonged seizures. Being aware of these possibilities helps you understand why proper treatment and safety measures are so important.

Physical injuries are the most immediate concern during seizures. You might fall and hit your head, bite your tongue, or injure yourself on nearby objects. Burns can occur if a seizure happens near hot surfaces or while cooking.

More serious complications include:

• Status epilepticus - seizures lasting longer than 30 minutes or repeated seizures without recovery
• Breathing problems if airways become blocked during a seizure
• SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) - a rare but serious risk
• Accidents while driving, swimming, or operating machinery
• Memory problems or learning difficulties with frequent seizures
• Depression or anxiety related to living with seizures
• Social isolation due to fear or stigma

Pregnancy requires special attention if you have seizures, as some seizure medications can affect fetal development. However, with proper medical care, most women with epilepsy can have healthy pregnancies and babies.

The good news is that proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of complications. Working closely with your healthcare team helps ensure you get the support you need to manage seizures safely.

How can seizures be prevented?

While you can't prevent all seizures, especially those caused by genetic factors, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk and frequency of seizures. Prevention focuses on avoiding known triggers and maintaining overall brain health.

If you have epilepsy, taking your seizure medications exactly as prescribed is the most important prevention step. Never stop or change your medication without talking to your doctor first, as this can trigger breakthrough seizures.

Lifestyle modifications that can help prevent seizures include:

• Getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly for most adults)
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Staying away from recreational drugs
• Taking medications as prescribed for other conditions like diabetes
• Wearing protective gear during high-risk activities
• Staying hydrated and maintaining stable blood sugar levels

For people with known seizure triggers, keeping a seizure diary can help identify patterns. Common triggers include flashing lights, lack of sleep, stress, certain foods, or hormonal changes during menstruation.

If you've never had a seizure, maintaining good overall health supports brain function. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, managing chronic conditions, and avoiding head injuries when possible.

How are seizures diagnosed?

Diagnosing seizures involves gathering detailed information about what happened before, during, and after the episode. Since you might not remember everything during a seizure, having a witness provide details can be extremely helpful for your doctor.

Your doctor will start with a thorough medical history and physical examination. They'll ask about your symptoms, any potential triggers, family history of seizures, medications you're taking, and any recent illnesses or injuries.

Several tests can help confirm a seizure diagnosis and identify underlying causes:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) - measures electrical activity in your brain
• Blood tests - check for infections, blood sugar levels, and medication levels
• CT scan or MRI - create detailed images of your brain structure
• Lumbar puncture - examines spinal fluid if infection is suspected
• Video EEG monitoring - records brain activity and behavior over several days

Sometimes the EEG appears normal between seizures, which doesn't rule out epilepsy. Your doctor might recommend longer monitoring or repeat testing if seizures continue to occur.

Getting an accurate diagnosis can take time, especially if seizures are infrequent. Be patient with the process and keep detailed records of any symptoms or episodes to help your healthcare team make the best assessment.

What is the treatment for seizures?

Seizure treatment depends on the underlying cause, type of seizure, and how often they occur. The good news is that most seizures can be well-controlled with proper treatment, allowing people to live normal, active lives.

For seizures caused by treatable conditions like low blood sugar or infections, addressing the underlying problem often stops the seizures completely. However, if you have epilepsy or recurrent seizures, you'll likely need ongoing treatment.

Anti-seizure medications are the most common treatment approach. These medications work by stabilizing electrical activity in your brain. Your doctor will choose the best medication based on your seizure type, age, other health conditions, and potential side effects.

Other treatment options include:

• Dietary therapy, such as the ketogenic diet for certain types of epilepsy
• Vagus nerve stimulation - a device that sends electrical signals to the brain
• Responsive neurostimulation - a brain implant that detects and stops seizures
• Brain surgery to remove seizure-causing brain tissue
• Deep brain stimulation for hard-to-treat cases

Finding the right treatment often takes time and patience. Your doctor might need to try different medications or adjust doses to find what works best for you with minimal side effects.

Most people with seizures can be successfully treated with the first or second medication tried. Even if your seizures aren't completely controlled, treatment can often reduce their frequency and severity significantly.

How should you manage seizures at home?

While seizures require medical treatment, there are important steps you can take at home to stay safe and support your overall health. Creating a seizure-safe environment and having an action plan can make a big difference in your confidence and wellbeing.

If you live with someone who has seizures, knowing how to respond during an episode is crucial. Stay calm, time the seizure, and keep the person safe by moving dangerous objects away. Never put anything in their mouth or try to restrain them.

Safety modifications for your home might include:

• Using safety covers on sharp furniture corners
• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Choosing showers over baths to reduce drowning risk
• Keeping bedroom and bathroom doors unlocked
• Using non-slip mats in wet areas
• Storing breakable items safely
• Having working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Maintaining a consistent routine helps reduce seizure triggers. This includes regular sleep schedules, taking medications at the same times each day, and managing stress levels through relaxation techniques or hobbies you enjoy.

Keep a seizure diary to track episodes, potential triggers, medication effects, and recovery patterns. This information becomes invaluable for your healthcare team when adjusting treatment plans.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing well for your doctor visit helps ensure you get the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Since seizures can affect memory, having organized information ready beforehand is especially important.

Before your appointment, write down detailed descriptions of your seizure episodes. Include when they happened, how long they lasted, what you were doing beforehand, and how you felt afterward. If someone witnessed your seizure, ask them to come with you or write down their observations.

Bring important information with you:

• Complete list of current medications, including dosages
• Any previous medical records related to seizures or brain conditions
• Family medical history, especially neurological conditions
• Insurance cards and identification
• List of questions you want to ask
• Your seizure diary if you've been keeping one

Think about how seizures have affected your daily life, work, or relationships. Your doctor needs to understand the full impact to recommend the best treatment approach.

Don't hesitate to ask questions about anything you don't understand. Good questions might include asking about medication side effects, driving restrictions, lifestyle modifications, or what to expect during treatment.

What's the key takeaway about seizures?

The most important thing to remember is that seizures, while serious, are highly treatable conditions that don't have to define or limit your life. With proper medical care, most people with seizures can achieve good control and maintain their independence and quality of life.

Early diagnosis and treatment make the biggest difference in outcomes. If you or someone you know experiences a seizure, don't wait to seek medical attention. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of preventing future seizures and complications.

Living with seizures requires some adjustments, but millions of people successfully manage this condition while working, raising families, and pursuing their goals. The key is working closely with your healthcare team, following your treatment plan consistently, and making safety-conscious choices.

Remember that having a seizure doesn't make you weak or broken. It's a medical condition that deserves the same understanding and treatment as any other health issue. With today's treatment options and supportive resources, there's every reason to be optimistic about managing seizures effectively.