Introduction
Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from brief moments of confusion to full-body convulsions. They affect millions of people worldwide and can occur due to various underlying conditions, including epilepsy, infections, or blood sugar level imbalances. There are many types of seizures that may present with different symptoms, depending on the intensity of the seizure.
The more neurons (brain cells) affected, the more intense the seizure and symptoms will be. This could in turn affect how long the seizure lasts. There are different treatment options for seizures, with medication being the most common. Healthcare providers will work to get the accurate diagnosis to determine which treatment option is the most appropriate.
Types of Seizures
Focal Seizures
Focal onset aware seizure. Focal onset aware seizures, previously called simple partial seizures, originate in a specific area of the brain and do not affect consciousness. The person remains fully aware of their surroundings and may experience unusual sensations, such as tingling, flashing lights, or changes in taste or smell. These seizures can also cause involuntary movements, like jerking in one part of the body. They are often brief, typically lasting less than a minute.
Focal onset impaired awareness seizure. Focal onset impaired awareness seizures, also known as complex partial seizures, also begin in one part of the brain but affect consciousness or awareness. The person may appear confused, stare blankly, or perform repetitive movements (such as lip-smacking or hand-gesturing) without being aware of their actions. They may not respond to others during the episode and often have no memory of it afterward. These seizures usually last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
Generalized Seizures
Tonic. Tonic seizures can cause the muscles in the body, arms, and legs to suddenly get stiff. People who have these seizures typically collapse and fall to the ground, but do not convulse.
Clonic. Clonic seizures are characterized by repetitive jerking muscle movements, often affecting the face, arms, or legs on one or both sides of the body. Consciousness may be impaired.
Tonic-clonic ("grand mal"). A tonic-clonic seizure is a seizure with two phases—a tonic phase (muscle stiffening) followed by a clonic phase (jerking movements). It often causes loss of consciousness, possible loss of bladder control, and confusion after the episode.
Atonic. Atonic seizures are also known as a "drop attack" seizures. This seizure causes sudden loss of muscle control, leading the person to collapse. The person may fall unexpectedly but typically regains consciousness.
Myoclonic. These seizures involves sudden but brief muscle jerks that look like twitches. These seizures often occur in clusters and do not always cause loss of consciousness.
Absence. Absence seizures are often associated with blank staring, eye fluttering, or subtle movements. They are common in children and typically last only a few seconds.
What Causes a Seizure?
Seizures are essentially caused by an upsurge of electrical activity in the brain. Neurons normally communicate by transmitting electrical signals throughout the brain. During a seizure, the affected brain cells start sending signals uncontrollably. This excessive electrical activity overwhelms the affected regions in the brain, which leads to seizure symptoms.
Common Causes
Epilepsy
Head Trauma
Stroke
Brain Tumors
Infections (Meningitis, Encephalitis)
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Electrolyte Imbalances
Alcohol or Drug Withdrawal
Genetic Conditions
Symptoms
The symptoms of a seizure can vary based on the type of seizure occurring and where in the process of the seizure the person is in (beginning, during, or end).
General Symptoms:
Sudden staring spells or loss of awareness
Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
Muscle stiffness
Loss of consciousness
Confusion after the episode
Repetitive movements
Changes in vision, taste, or smell
Unusual sensations
Severe Symptoms
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty breathing during or after the seizure
Long seizures lasting more than 5 minutes (medical emergency)
Treatment and Management
The treatment of the seizure depends on the severity, type, and cause of the seizure. Healthcare providers will determine which treatment option is the most appropriate, and may suggest one or more of the following.
Addressing underlying conditions: Treating conditions like stroke or low blood sugar may help to prevent future seizures.
Anti-seizure medications: Certain drugs can help to reduce the frequency of the seizures or prevent them altogether.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery can help target the brain region where seizures originate to reduce their severity and frequency.
Emergency Response and First Aid
Stay calm and make sure the person is safe:
Clear the area of sharp objects or potential hazards.
Guide the person to the floor if they are standing to avoid falling.
Time the seizure:
If the seizure lass longer than 5 minutes, call 911.
Protect the person's head:
Place a soft object (like a jacket or cushion, if available) under their head to protect it from being injured.
Do not restrain or put anything in their mouth:
Placing objects in the person's mouth and/or restraining their movements can cause harm.
Turn the person onto their side:
This will help keep their airway clear and will reduce the risk of them choking.
Stay with them:
Reassure the person once the seizure ends, since they may be confused or disoriented.
“Types of Seizures.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 8 Aug. 2021, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/epilepsy/types-of-seizures#:~:text=A%20seizure%20is%20a%20burst,sensations%20or%20states%20of%20awareness. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
“Seizures - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20365711. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
“Seizure.” Cleveland Clinic, 22 Apr. 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22789-seizure. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Booth, Stephanie. “Seizures: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD, 4 Dec. 2023, https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/understanding-seizures-basics. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.