What are the different types of seizures. How are seizures diagnosed and treated. What medical terms are associated with epilepsy. What surgical procedures are available for epilepsy treatment. How does diet impact seizure management.

Types of Seizures: From Absence to Tonic-Clonic

Seizures come in various forms, each with distinct characteristics. Understanding these types is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Let’s explore some of the most common seizure types:

Absence Seizures: The Silent Disruption

What are absence seizures? Absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, are a type of generalized onset seizure characterized by brief periods of lost awareness. During these episodes, individuals may appear to be staring blankly into space, often accompanied by subtle eye blinking. These seizures typically last between 2 to 20 seconds and are most common in children.

While absence seizures can be disruptive, they are often outgrown and can be effectively managed with medication. Their brief nature and lack of obvious physical symptoms can make them challenging to identify without proper medical evaluation.

Atonic Seizures: The Sudden Drop

How do atonic seizures manifest? Atonic seizures are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, often affecting the arms or legs. This abrupt loss of muscle control can cause individuals to drop objects they’re holding or experience sudden falls, which are sometimes referred to as “drop attacks.”

The unpredictable nature of atonic seizures can pose significant safety risks, particularly for those prone to frequent episodes. Protective gear and environmental modifications may be necessary to prevent injuries during these events.

Clonic Seizures: The Rhythmic Movements

What distinguishes clonic seizures? Clonic seizures are characterized by sudden, rhythmic movements involving all parts of the body. These repetitive jerking motions can affect various muscle groups and may last for several seconds to minutes.

While less common than some other seizure types, clonic seizures can be particularly distressing for both the individual experiencing them and observers. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing these episodes effectively.

Tonic-Clonic Seizures: The Grand Mal

What are tonic-clonic seizures? Formerly known as grand mal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures are among the most recognizable and severe forms of epileptic episodes. They involve a loss of consciousness, collapsing, and often a combination of muscle stiffening (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking movements (clonic phase).

These seizures can be particularly dangerous due to the risk of injury from falling and the potential for prolonged episodes. Immediate medical attention is often necessary, especially for seizures lasting more than five minutes or occurring in clusters.

Diagnostic Tools and Techniques in Epilepsy Management

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective epilepsy management. Several diagnostic tools and techniques are employed by medical professionals to identify and characterize seizures:

EEG: Mapping Brain Activity

What is an EEG, and how does it work in epilepsy diagnosis? An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the brain. It’s a non-invasive procedure that involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect and record brain wave patterns.

In epilepsy diagnosis, EEGs can help identify abnormal electrical activity that may be indicative of seizures. This test is particularly useful in:

• Confirming an epilepsy diagnosis
• Determining the type of seizures a patient is experiencing
• Locating the area of the brain where seizures originate
• Monitoring treatment effectiveness

Video EEG Monitoring: Correlating Brain Activity with Behavior

How does video EEG monitoring enhance seizure diagnosis? Video EEG monitoring combines continuous EEG recording with synchronized video observation of the patient’s behavior. This technique allows healthcare providers to correlate electrical brain activity with physical manifestations of seizures.

The benefits of video EEG monitoring include:

1. Capturing seizures in real-time
2. Distinguishing between epileptic and non-epileptic events
3. Providing detailed information for treatment planning
4. Assessing the effectiveness of current medications

Neuroimaging: Peering into the Brain

What role do CT and MRI scans play in epilepsy diagnosis? Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are crucial neuroimaging techniques used in epilepsy diagnosis and management. These scans provide detailed images of the brain’s structure, helping to identify any abnormalities that may be causing seizures.

CT scans use X-rays and computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the brain. While they offer lower resolution compared to MRI, they are often faster and more readily available in emergency situations.

MRI scans, on the other hand, use powerful magnets and radio waves to produce highly detailed images of the brain’s soft tissues. This technique is particularly valuable in identifying subtle structural abnormalities that may be associated with epilepsy, such as:

• Brain tumors
• Vascular malformations
• Cortical dysplasias
• Hippocampal sclerosis

Pharmacological Interventions: Anticonvulsants and Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Medication plays a crucial role in managing epilepsy and controlling seizures. Let’s explore the primary types of drugs used in epilepsy treatment:

Anticonvulsants: The First Line of Defense

What are anticonvulsants, and how do they work? Anticonvulsants, also known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), are medications specifically designed to control seizures. These drugs work by modulating the electrical activity in the brain, either by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmitters or by reducing excitatory neurotransmitters.

Some common anticonvulsants include:

• Carbamazepine
• Valproic acid
• Levetiracetam
• Phenytoin
• Lamotrigine

The choice of anticonvulsant depends on various factors, including the type of seizures, the patient’s age, potential side effects, and any coexisting medical conditions.

Polytherapy: Combining Medications for Enhanced Control

When is polytherapy necessary in epilepsy treatment? In some cases, a single anticonvulsant may not provide adequate seizure control. Polytherapy, the use of multiple anti-epileptic drugs in combination, may be recommended in these situations.

While polytherapy can offer improved seizure control for some patients, it also carries an increased risk of drug interactions and side effects. Careful monitoring and dosage adjustments are essential when implementing a polytherapy approach.

Surgical Interventions: When Medications Aren’t Enough

For some individuals with epilepsy, medications may not provide sufficient seizure control. In these cases, surgical interventions may be considered:

Epilepsy Surgery: Targeting the Seizure Focus

What does epilepsy surgery entail? Epilepsy surgery involves removing or disconnecting the area of the brain responsible for generating seizures. This procedure is typically considered for patients with focal epilepsy that has not responded adequately to medication.

The success rate of epilepsy surgery varies depending on the type of epilepsy and the specific procedure performed. In many cases, surgery can significantly reduce or even eliminate seizures, improving the patient’s quality of life.

Corpus Callosotomy: Interrupting Seizure Spread

How does corpus callosotomy help in managing seizures? Corpus callosotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the corpus callosum, the major nerve structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain. This procedure aims to prevent seizures from spreading from one side of the brain to the other.

Corpus callosotomy is particularly effective in managing atonic and tonic-clonic seizures, which often involve both hemispheres of the brain. While it may not completely eliminate seizures, it can significantly reduce their frequency and severity.

Hemispherectomy: A Radical Approach

What is a hemispherectomy, and when is it considered? Hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing portions of one hemisphere of the brain. This radical approach is typically reserved for severe cases of epilepsy that have not responded to other treatments.

Hemispherectomy is most commonly performed in children with severe epilepsy affecting one side of the brain. While it may seem extreme, the plasticity of young brains often allows for remarkable recovery and improved seizure control following this procedure.

Dietary Approaches to Seizure Management

In addition to medications and surgical interventions, dietary approaches can play a significant role in managing epilepsy for some individuals:

The Ketogenic Diet: Fueling Seizure Control

How does the ketogenic diet help manage epilepsy? The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in some people with epilepsy, particularly children. This diet forces the body to use fat as its primary energy source instead of carbohydrates, leading to a state of ketosis.

The exact mechanism by which the ketogenic diet helps control seizures is not fully understood, but it may involve:

• Altering brain chemistry
• Reducing inflammation
• Modifying gene expression related to epilepsy

While the ketogenic diet can be highly effective for some individuals, it requires strict adherence and close medical supervision due to potential side effects and nutritional deficiencies.

Modified Atkins Diet: A Less Restrictive Alternative

What is the Modified Atkins Diet, and how does it compare to the ketogenic diet? The Modified Atkins Diet (MAD) is a less restrictive version of the ketogenic diet that has shown promise in managing epilepsy. Like the ketogenic diet, it emphasizes high fat and low carbohydrate intake but allows for more protein and does not require strict calorie counting.

The Modified Atkins Diet may be easier to follow long-term compared to the traditional ketogenic diet, making it a viable option for adults and adolescents with epilepsy who find the strict ketogenic diet challenging to maintain.

Understanding Epilepsy Syndromes

Epilepsy is not a single condition but rather a group of disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Understanding specific epilepsy syndromes can help in tailoring treatment approaches:

Benign Focal Epilepsy of Childhood: A Self-Limiting Condition

What characterizes benign focal epilepsy of childhood? Benign focal epilepsy of childhood, also known as benign rolandic epilepsy, is an epilepsy syndrome typically found in children. It is characterized by focal aware seizures that often occur during sleep and may cause:

• Changes around the face or tongue
• Gurgling noises
• Rapid movement of facial muscles

This syndrome is considered “benign” because seizures are usually easily controlled with medication and often infrequent enough to be left untreated. Most children outgrow this condition by puberty, making it a self-limiting form of epilepsy.

Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies: When Both Hemispheres are Involved

What are idiopathic generalized epilepsies? Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) are a group of epilepsy syndromes characterized by seizures that originate from both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. The term “idiopathic” indicates that there is no known structural cause for the seizures.

Common types of IGEs include:

• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• Childhood absence epilepsy
• Juvenile absence epilepsy
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures on awakening

Management of IGEs typically involves anticonvulsant medications, and many individuals with these syndromes respond well to treatment.

Special Considerations in Epilepsy Management

Certain factors can influence the manifestation and management of epilepsy, requiring special consideration in treatment approaches:

Catamenial Epilepsy: The Menstrual Connection

How does the menstrual cycle affect seizure frequency? Catamenial epilepsy refers to the tendency for some individuals with epilepsy to experience increased seizure frequency around the time of menstruation. This phenomenon is thought to be related to hormonal fluctuations, particularly changes in estrogen and progesterone levels.

Managing catamenial epilepsy may involve:

• Adjusting anticonvulsant dosages around menstruation
• Hormonal therapies
• Lifestyle modifications to reduce other seizure triggers

Febrile Seizures: When Fever Triggers Convulsions

What are febrile seizures, and how are they managed? Febrile seizures are tonic-clonic seizures that occur in young children and infants as a result of high fevers. While frightening for parents, these seizures are generally benign and do not typically lead to long-term epilepsy.

Management of febrile seizures focuses on:

1. Treating the underlying fever
2. Ensuring the child’s safety during the seizure
3. Educating parents on proper first aid techniques
4. Monitoring for any signs of more serious conditions

In most cases, children outgrow febrile seizures and do not require long-term anticonvulsant therapy.

The Future of Epilepsy Management: Emerging Therapies and Research

As our understanding of epilepsy continues to grow, new therapeutic approaches are being developed and refined:

Neurostimulation: Modulating Brain Activity

How can neurostimulation help in managing epilepsy? Neurostimulation techniques, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS), involve using electrical impulses to modulate brain activity and reduce seizure frequency. These approaches are particularly promising for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Ongoing research is exploring new targets for neurostimulation and refining existing techniques to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.

Gene Therapy: Targeting the Root Cause

What role might gene therapy play in future epilepsy treatment? As we identify more genetic factors contributing to epilepsy, gene therapy approaches are being investigated as potential treatments. These therapies aim to correct or compensate for genetic mutations associated with epilepsy, potentially offering a more targeted and effective approach to seizure control.

While still in the early stages of research, gene therapy holds promise for revolutionizing epilepsy treatment, particularly for individuals with genetically-driven forms of the disorder.

Seizure terminology: A glossary – Seer Medical

Absence seizure — A type of generalised onset seizure, also known as a dialeptic seizure or a petit mal seizure. Characterised by blank stares and a brief loss of awareness, sometimes with blinking. They may last anywhere between 2–20 seconds. Usually, they develop in childhood, but are often outgrown and can be easily controlled with medication. 

Accommodation — Any change that gives people with disabilities an equal opportunity to work.

Adversive seizures — Seizures characterised by rotation of the head, eyes, or body.

Ambulatory EEG monitoring —  A system for recording the electroencephalogram outside of the hospital for a short period of time.

Anticonvulsants — A drug used to control seizures. 

Anti-epileptic drugs — Medications used to treat epilepsy, also called anticonvulsants or AEDs.  

Atonic seizure — Seizures characterised by the sudden loss of muscle tone, often in the arms or legs. Known to cause objects in hands to drop or sudden falls. 

Aura — Focal aware seizure. Some people use “aura” to describe a warning sign of a seizure 

Benign focal epilepsy of childhood — An epilepsy syndrome found in children characterised by focal aware seizures during sleep. Known to cause changes around the face or tongue, gurgling noises, or rapid movement of facial muscles. They are easily controlled with medication, but are often infrequent enough to be left untreated. These are usually outgrown by puberty.

Catamenial epilepsy — The tendency for people with epilepsy to experience seizures around the time of menstruation. 

Chronic epilepsy — When seizures are resistant to medication and other treatments.

Clonic seizure — Epileptic seizures characterised by sudden rhythmic movement involving all parts of the body.

Computed tomography — Also known as a CT or cat scan. A technique using x-rays and computers to create an image of the inside of a body, particularly of someone’s brain. Similar to an MRI but makes a lower resolution image. 

Corpus callosum — The major nerve structures that connect the two hemispheres of the brain. Helps to share information between each half of the brain. 

Corpus callosotomy — A surgery that cuts the corpus callosum to interrupt the spread of seizures between brain hemispheres. Most effective against atonic and tonic-clonic seizures. 

Drop attacks — A sudden fall without loss of consciousness, categorised as tonic or atonic seizures when part of epilepsy.

ECG (electrocardiogram) — Diagnostic test of the electrical activity of the heart. 

EEG (electroencephalogram) — Diagnostic test of the electrical activity of the brain.

EEG video monitoring — A continuous EEG test with accompanying video to observe behaviour. Used for diagnosing epilepsy, localising the seizure focus, and determining treatment.

EPC (epilepsia partialis continua) — Continuous or prolonged partial seizures. Characterised by sudden movement in the arms, legs, or face.

Epilepsy — A medical condition characterised by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Epilepsy surgery — A procedure to prevent further seizures. Successful in most patients depending on the type of epilepsy.

Epilepsy syndrome — A disorder defined by a cluster of epilepsy symptoms occurring together with a known prognosis. 

Epileptogenic zone — The area of the brain responsible for the abnormal electrical signals that cause seizures.

Febrile seizures — Tonic-clonic seizures that are known to occur in young children and infants as a result of fevers. 

Focal impaired awareness seizure — Seizures that involve partially impaired awareness. Characterised by staring into space or unintentional movements.

Focal seizure — An outdated term for partial seizures. A seizure that begins in the focal area of the brain and may not spread to other parts.

Generalised seizure — A seizure that occurs in both hemispheres of the brain at once. May be convulsive or non-convulsive, and may cause tonic-clonic or other movements. 

Grand-mal seizure — An outdated term for tonic-clonic seizures. Characterised by losing consciousness and collapsing, often with body stiffening or sudden muscle movements.

Hemisphere — Cerebral hemispheres, referring to one half of the brain.

Hemispherectomy — A surgical procedure to remove portions of one hemisphere of the brain to prevent seizures from spreading.

Idiopathic generalised epilepsies — Epilepsy syndromes characterised by onset from both hemispheres of the brain at once.

Isolated seizures — A single seizure with no risk factors for epilepsy.

Ketogenic diet — A treatment for epilepsy involving high fats, and low carbs. Most often recommended for children with a generalised epilepsy that has failed to respond to medication.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) — An imaging technique for getting pictures of the inside of the body without using x-rays.

Myoclonic seizure — A seizure characterised by sudden but brief movements on both sides of the body, most often in the arms and shoulders.

Neurologist — A doctor who specialises in epilepsy and other disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Nocturnal seizure — A seizure that occurs at night during sleep.

Partial seizure — See focal seizure. a seizure that occurs in a specific part of the brain and does not travel to other parts.

Petit mal — An outdated term for absence seizure.  

Seizure — Altered brain function as a result of abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, often causing changes in behaviour or motor function.

Seizure focus — The part of the brain where a seizure started.

Tonic seizure — Seizures characterised by stiff muscles and abnormal electrical activity on both sides of the brain.

Tonic-clonic seizure — Formally known as grand-mal seizure. A type of seizure marked by sudden loss of consciousness, body stiffness, and sudden muscle movements. Characterised by losing consciousness and collapsing, often with body stiffening or sudden muscle movements.

Unknown onset seizure — A seizure that cannot be diagnosed as focal or generalised.

Glossary of Epilepsy Terms

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Absence seizure: (also know as “dialeptic seizure” or “petit mal seizure”) a seizure that causes a brief loss of awareness. During an absence seizure, the patient stops any activity and stares blankly. Rarely, there may be some blinking.

Antiseizure drug (ASD): Also called an anticonvulsant an antiepileptic drug used to control both convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures.

Atonic seizure: a seizure that causes a sudden loss of muscle tone, particularly in the arms and legs, and often causes the patient to fall.

Aura: a warning or initial symptom at the beginning of a seizure, experienced by the patient, but not visible to observers. Auras may progress to become focal or even generalized seizures, or they may exist alone.

Bilateral tonic clonic seizure: Formerly called grand-mal seizures, an older term for a seizure in which the patient loses consciousness and collapses. The patient also has body stiffening and violent jerking, and then often goes into a deep sleep. Also known as a generalized convulsion.

Clonic seizure: repetitive, rhythmic jerks that involve all or part of the body.

Corpus callosum: a band of nerve fibers located deep in the brain that connects the two halves (hemispheres) of the brain. The corpus callosum helps the hemispheres share information.

Corpus callosotomy: an operation that cuts the corpus callosum and interrupts the spread of seizures from one hemisphere of the brain to the other. Callosotomies may be complete, or may involve only a portion of the corpus callosum. Although seizures generally do not completely stop after this procedure, they usually become less severe.

EEG-video monitoring: Continuous simultaneous recording of brainwaves and video observation of the behavior accompanying the EEG. This technique, carried out at comprehensive epilepsy centers, is employed to diagnose epilepsy and localize the seizure focus. The results are useful to determine therapy — medical or surgical.

Epilepsy: a chronic medical condition marked by recurrent epileptic seizures. Patients may have single seizures as a result of fever, drug withdrawal, or trauma, for example, but are not labeled as having epilepsy if seizures do not recur.

Epileptogenic zone: the region of the brain responsible for the abnormal electrical signals that cause seizures.

Electrode: a conductive disk (usually metal) attached to the scalp which conveys the electrical activity of the brain through a wire to an EEG machine. During an electroencephalogram, typically around 20 electrodes are temporarily pasted to the scalp.

Electroencephalogram (EEG): a diagnostic test that measures brain waves, the electrical impulses in the cerebral cortex. This test helps a doctor to diagnose epilepsy.

Epilepsy surgery: a neuro-surgical procedure to prevent further seizures, usually accomplished by resecting the epileptogenic zone. Successful in eliminating seizures in a large majority of patients, depending on the type of epilepsy identified during EEG-video monitoring.

Extratemporal cortical resection: an operation to cut out (resect) brain tissue that contains a seizure focus. “Extratemporal” means the tissue is located in an area of the brain other than the temporal lobe, most often the frontal lobe.

Focal onset aware seizure: (also known as a “partial seizure”) a seizure that occurs in a limited area in only one hemisphere of the brain. This type of seizure is more amenable to treatment with surgery than are generalized seizures.

Focal onset impaired awareness seizure: Formrly called complex partial seizures are seizures that includes impairment of awareness, for example, patients seem to be “out of it” or “staring into space.” Unintentional movements or other movements are frequently a part of the seizure.

Functional hemispherectomy: a procedure in which portions of one hemisphere of the brain which is not functioning normally are removed, and the corpus callosum is split. This interrupts the communications among the various lobes and between the two hemispheres and prevents the spread of seizures.

Hemisphere: one half of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.

Generalized seizure: a seizure that occurs all through the brain.

Ketogenic diet: a treatment for epilepsy intended to maintain the starvation or fasting metabolism for a long period in order to create ketones, byproducts of fat-burning metabolism. Seizures often lessen or disappear during periods of fasting. The diet is very high in fat and low in carbohydrates and is most often recommended for children ages 2 through 12 who have been diagnosed with a generalized type of epilepsy, and who have failed to respond to a variety of medications.

Lesionectomy: surgery to remove isolated brain lesions that are responsible for seizure activity.

Lobe: one of the sections of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. The lobes are divided into four paired sections (frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal). The seizure focus is usually located in one of the lobes.

Lumbar puncture: a diagnostic procedure in which the fluid surrounding the spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is withdrawn through a needle and examined in a lab. Also known as a spinal tap.

Multiple subpial transection: a surgical procedure to help control seizures that begin in areas of the brain that cannot be safely removed (areas that control movements or speech). The surgeon makes a series of shallow cuts (transections) in the brain tissue to interrupt the movement of seizure impulses.

myoclonic seizure: a seizure that consists of sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body. Patients with these seizures may drop or involuntarily throw objects.

Neurologist: a doctor who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy and other disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Neuron: a single nerve cell. The brain is made up of billions of neurons. Many neurons malfunctioning together are necessary to produce a seizure.

Nonepileptic event: an event that resembles a seizure but is actually produced by another condition, such as Tourette syndrome or heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Certain psychological conditions can also bring on a nonepileptic event.

Responsive neurostimulation device: RNS consists of a small neurostimulator implanted within the skull under the scalp. The neurostimulator is connected to one or two wires (called electrodes) that are placed where the seizures are suspected to originate within the brain or on the surface of the brain. The device detects abnormal electrical activity in the area and delivers electrical stimulation to normalize brain activity before seizure symptoms begin.

Seizure: an event of altered brain function caused by abnormal or excessive electrical discharges in the brain. Most seizures cause sudden changes in behavior or motor function.

Seizure focus: the area of the brain in which a seizure starts.

Status epilepticus: a prolonged seizure (usually defined as lasting longer than 5 minutes) or a series of repeated seizures without regaining consciousness. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency and medical help should be obtained immediately.

Temporal lobe resection: a surgical procedure in which brain tissue in the temporal lobe is cut away (resected) to remove the seizure focus.

Tonic seizure: a seizure that is characterized by stiffening of the muscles, sustained for more than a few seconds.

Tonic-clonic seizure: a seizure marked by loss of consciousness, falling, stiffening, and jerking. This is the hallmark of a generalized motor seizure, which used to be called a “grand mal seizure.”

Vagus nerve: a small cranial nerve that passes through the neck and is connected to various areas of the brain and other organs in the body, including the stomach, heart, and lungs.

Vagus nerve stimulation: a surgical treatment for epilepsy involving implantation in the neck of an electrode on the vagus nerve. The electrode is connected to a pacemaker that is placed under the skin in the chest. While the VNS is usually programmed to cycle continuously, the patient can turn the stimulator on, using a small magnet placed over the pacemaker, if they feel a seizure coming on.

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Cramps

In scientific terminology, cramps are unforeseen, sudden, jerky muscle contractions.

The following types of seizures are distinguished:

• Local seizures, covering a certain muscle group. For example, in a person who squats for a long time. Spasms of the face, muscles of the hand, feet or body can be observed when the cerebral cortex is damaged. More precisely, the area that is responsible for the functioning of the muscles;
• Generalized or generalized convulsions cover the entire body of a person. At the same time, there is a loss of consciousness, the appearance of foam at the mouth, unexpected urination. Seizures are observed during the attack of epilepsy, with the appearance of craniocerebral injuries, after infectious or intoxication ailments.

Seizures of various types can occur when blood flow processes are disturbed or when blood vessels and capillaries are damaged. And also, soft tissues of the lower extremities.

There are such convulsive seizures:

• Tonic convulsions are specific, obvious muscle strains. This phenomenon applies to all muscle groups, up to the respiratory tract. These are long muscle contractions over a long period of time. Tonic convulsions can be described as follows: the body of a person remains elongated, the teeth and muscles are compressed, the head is tilted back;
• Clonic convulsions – transformation of muscle tone, sudden twitching of tissues. In other words, these are periodic convulsions of the flexion and extensor elements. At the same time, involuntary jerks of the limbs and torso are observed. Basically, they occur with loss of consciousness or epilepsy;
• In practice, mixed variants have also been observed. That is, generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The main feature of seizures is a complete abrupt shutdown of consciousness. It all starts with a large tonic spasm, which is accompanied by wheezing. The duration of such a seizure is from 40 seconds to 2 minutes.

Seizure prevention

If the seizures come on suddenly, a pain reliever may help. After that, the damaged area should be thoroughly kneaded. For what? To restore normal blood circulation.

It should be noted that the presence of calcium in the body is directly related to the occurrence of seizures. Therefore, if such attacks are observed, it is worth including more foods containing calcium in your diet. For example: dairy products, fish, etc.

When convulsions appear, it is best to contact a specialist. Namely, they will help and develop a special treatment regimen. Which doctors can help with this issue? They are:

• Therapists;
• Vascular surgeons;
• Endocrinologists;
• Neurologists;
• Dermatologists.

Causes of seizures

From a medical point of view, there can be a lot of such nuances. They can be provoked by the same hyperkinesis (overabundance of movements).

Seizures develop differently in each person and have their own nature. For example: facial hemispasm affects the facial part.