Seizure

What is a seizure?

A seizure (pronounced “see-zhr”) is a surge of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. The most recognizable symptoms of a seizure are a temporary loss of consciousness and uncontrollable movements (convulsions).

Not all seizures look the same. You might stop what you’re doing and stare off into space for a few seconds. You might jerk your arm or feel your muscles twitch. You might only have one seizure in your life or have multiple seizures per day. Your experience with seizures can be very different from someone else’s.

There are many possible causes of seizures because a lot of things can interfere with your brain’s typical electrical patterns. These range from changes to your blood sugar levels to an illness, injury or underlying condition.

A healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment for your needs.

What are the types of seizures?

There are two main types of seizures:

• Generalized seizures (generalized onset seizures): Electrical activity starts on both sides of your brain at the same time. You may shake both sides of your body, shake one side or only stare and stop what you’re doing. Usually, it affects kids or young adults, but it can occur at any age.
• Focal seizures (focal onset seizures): Electrical activity begins on one side or “focus” of your brain. Symptoms usually affect one side of your body and may or may not affect your awareness. This means that you may or may not remember the seizure. Focal seizures may stay focal or may spread to both sides.

Generalized seizure types

The types of generalized seizure disorders include:

• Absence seizures: You stop what you’re doing and have a blank stare.
• Atonic seizures (drop seizures): You lose muscle control and drop to the ground suddenly.
• Clonic seizures: You’ll shake both sides of your body and pass out or shake one side and not pass out.
• Myoclonic seizures: These involve a quick jerk or twitch that affects one muscle or a group of connected muscles.
• Secondary generalized seizures: You have a focal seizure (electrical activity starts in one part of your brain) followed by a generalized seizure (electrical activity spreads to both sides of your brain).
• Tonic-clonic seizures: Your muscles stiffen, you lose consciousness and have convulsions.
• Tonic seizures: You pass out and your muscles tighten up but you don’t have convulsions.

Focal seizure types

The types of focal seizure disorders include:

• Focal onset aware seizures (simple partial seizure): You’re aware of a seizure when it happens and able to remember it.
• Focal onset impaired awareness seizures (complex partial seizure): You lose awareness and experience confusion when the seizure happens and can’t remember the seizure.

How common is a seizure?

Up to 10% of people around the world will have at least one seizure during their lifetimes.