What is a seizure?

Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical disturbances in the brain that can cause changes in behaviour, consciousness or movement.

What are the different types of seizures?

Seizures are classified in different types based on their characteristics and the areas of the brain they generate from.

1. Generalized seizure: these seizures involve both hemispheres of the brain from the beginning and can be further categorized into:

• Tonic-clonic seizures (previously call grand mal seizures): these seizures are characterized by a loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking movements (clonic phase).
• Absence seizures: these seizures are more common in children and are characterized by brief lapses in consciousness often followed by staring spells.
• Myoclonic seizures: these seizures involve sudden and brief muscle jerks or twitches; they can affect specific muscle groups or the entire body.
• Atonic seizures (previously known as drop seizures): these seizures cause a sudden loss of muscle tone which leads to falls or head drops

2. Focal seizures: these seizures originate from one specific area of the brain and can be further classified into:

• Focal aware seizures (previously known as partial seizures): these seizures do not cause loss of consciousness, the person remains aware during the seizure and may experience unusual sensations, emotions or movement.
• Focal impaired awareness seizures (previously called complex partial seizures): this seizure involves a loss of consciousness or altered awareness, the person may exhibit repetitive movements, confusion or automatic behaviours.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which is characterized by recurrent seizures.

What may cause Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain condition not specifically classified to a certain cause, below may be a few examples:

1. Genetic Factors: epilepsy may be linked to genetic factors in some individuals’ cases.
2. Developmental brain abnormalities: any abnormality in the development of the brain may lead to epilepsy; this may occur during foetal development or early childhood.
3. Infections: meningitis or encephalitis can affect the brain and trigger epilepsy.
4. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): trauma to the head, especially when brain tissue is damaged, can be a cause.
5. Stroke: having a stroke can disturb blood flow to the brain, leading to seizures or epilepsy.
6. Brain tumors: brain tumors can cause abnormal electrical activity and result in epilepsy.
7. Congenital or genetic abnormalities: some individuals are born with structural brain abnormalities or genetic mutations that increases the persons’ risk of epilepsy.

When should a doctor be seen?

Immediate medical help should be called for if any of the following occurs with a seizure:

• If a seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
• If breathing or consciousness does not return once the seizure or seizures has stopped
• If you have a high fever
• If a second seizure follows immediately or within 5 minutes
• If you are pregnant
• If you have diabetes
• If you have injured yourself during or while experiencing the seizure
• If you continue to experience seizures even though you have been taking any anti-seizure medications

Just a note:

Doing an online Seizure and Epilepsy Course with Train Healthcare, which takes approximately 1 hour to complete, will earn you 1 CPD Point. Once you have completed the course, you would receive a certificate thereof.