A seizure occurs when brain cells malfunction, causing uncontrolled behavior, loss of consciousness, movements, etc. When seizures are mostly treatable, experiencing more than two seizures within a day may happen due to epilepsy. If a seizure lasts more than five minutes, it is a medical emergency. Consult the most trusted neuro psychiatrist in Siliguri for comprehensive seizure care.
Let’s Understand the Types of Seizures
Seizures have two main types: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, occur when a specific area of the brain gets uncontrolled electrical activity. This type of seizure generally affects one area of the brain and may/may not cause loss of consciousness. It has two subtypes, including:
Focal Aware Seizures. In focal awareness seizures, you remain conscious and aware of your surroundings. Symptoms of this type of focal seizure include sudden feelings of joy, trouble speaking, anger, sadness, jerking of a limb, etc.
Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures. These seizures affect your consciousness, marked by being in a dream. Focal impaired awareness seizures may cause repetitive movements like hand rubbing, chewing, walking in circles, not responding to the situation around, etc.
Generalized Seizures
Generalized seizures take place in all areas of the brain in which loss of consciousness is common. This type of seizure has many sub-types:
Absence Seizures. Also known as "petit mal" seizures, these cause sudden lapses in attention as if someone is daydreaming. Though these seizures are short-lived, these seizures can happen many times a day.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures. Formerly known as "grand mal" seizures, tonic-clonic seizures are responsible for muscle stiffness (tonic phase) and rhythmic muscle contractions (clonic phase). Visit the best neuropsychiatrist doctors in Siliguri city.
Myoclonic Seizures. These are brief, marked by sudden shock-like jerks of muscles.
Atonic Seizures. Also known as "drop attacks," atonic seizures cause a sudden loss of muscle control, which may cause a person to fall.
Tonic Seizures. These seizures more commonly affect the muscles in your back legs, and arms, causing a sudden stiffening of the muscles.
Clonic Seizures. These seizures mostly affect the neck, arms, and face, causing repeated jerking movements of muscles on both sides of the body.
Causes of Seizures Explained
Seizures have a number of reasons, and sometimes, these have genetic causes.
- Infections of the brain
- Stroke
- Low sodium in the blood
- Lack of oxygen in the brain
- Brain tumors
- Lack of sleep
- Traumatic brain injury
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Genetic disorders
- Eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy causing seizures)
- High fevers
- Alcohol and drug withdrawal
- Autoimmnue conditions causing inflammation
- Low blood sugar
- Alzheimer's disease
- Infections caused by parasites, fungi, viruses, or bacteria
- Conversion disorders
- Exposure to toxins or poisons
- Sepsis
Untreated seizures can lead to various complications, such as accidents, falls, drowning, mental health problems, and pregnancy complications. Reach out to the top neuro psychiatrist in Siliguri to receive optimal medical care and support.
Identifying the Symptoms of Seizures
Signs and symptoms of seizures vary depending on the severity and type of seizures, including:
- A staring spell
- Loss of consciousness
- Cognitive and emotional changes
- Temporary confusions
- Uncontrolled jerking movements
Consulting a doctor is a must so that medical experts can evaluate your health and plan personalized treatment to manage seizures optimally. There are effective treatments available to treat seizures and we all should know that seizures aren’t contagious. Proper treatment and lifestyle modifications help one manage seizures and live quality of life.