SEIZURES

This page has been designed by the health care professionals of Marquette General Health System to provide you with information about seizures.

After you have read this pamphlet, you will be able to:

• Explain what a seizure is
• State what emergency measures should be taken during a seizure
• Examine your lifestyle for factors that could contribute to a seizure
• We hope you benefit from this information.

WHAT IS A SEIZURE?
Normally, the brain’s nerve impulses work in a very orderly fashion, but at certain times that impulses may travel as a rapid burst of activity. Such a burst of uncontrolled brain energy is called a seizure. The area of the brain affected determines the particular symptoms produced. Everyone has a "seizure threshold." The lower the threshold, the greater the chance of having a seizure. Some causes of seizures may be:
 

1. Acquired- Head injury, brain tumor, cardiovascular disease, lead poisoning, drug or alcohol withdrawal
   
2. Inherited trait- A lower seizure threshold can be inherited causing an increased risk of developing seizures sometime during one’s lifetime.
   
3. Unknown- In many cases, no specific causes for a person’s seizure is found.
    

TYPES OF SEIZURES

• CONVULSIVE SEIZURE (Grand Mal) or Major Motor Seizures
  This seizure affects the entire body. The person is usually unconscious or unresponsive, rigid, and develops muscle spasms which appear as jerking movements. The person may lose bladder control, have increased salivation and appear to "foam" at the mouth. ("Foam" is actually increased amounts of saliva.) The person may be drowsy, confused, and/or irritable when the seizure ends

• NON-CONVULSIVE SEIZURE - A Partial Seizure
  This seizure usually begins in a specific part of the brain. The person may be confused but not unconscious.

1. A partial motor seizure generally affects a small group of muscles, depending on the area of the brain affected.
2. A partial sensory seizure can cause a disturbance in sight, smell, taste, feeling, or hearing.
3. A complex partial or psychomotor seizure alters consciousness so the person appears to be daydreaming or staring. The person also has random body movements.

• ABSENCE SEIZURES (Petit Mal)
  This seizure appears as a very brief staring spell. The person does not fall to the ground and there are no jerking movements.

• EMERGENCY MEASURES
  What should you do if someone has a seizure?

1. Stay calm
2. Stay with the person. Call for help. Do not try to stop the persons movements. (You cannot stop the movements and may injure the person by trying.)
3. Loosen tight clothing
4. Roll the person onto their side-this will help prevent choking
5. Remember what happened so medical people can be informed
6. The person may be confused after the seizure-comfort and reassure them. Allow the person to rest, as they may feel very sleepy.

YOUR CONTROL OF SEIZURES DEPENDS MOSTLY ON THESE TWO FACTORS
 

• MEDICATION

1. Learn the name, dose, and side effects of your medication and how to get refills.
2. Don’t miss a dose. It may take days or weeks to accumulate a blood level that will prevent seizures. A missed dose may cause a seizure later.
3. Never stop taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor.

• LIFESTYLE

1. Work at reducing stress in your life
2. Moderation is the key
3. Talk to your doctor about using alcohol and non-prescription drugs
4. Eat properly and moderate your activity
5. Work at handling stressful situations
6. Keep a regular sleep schedule

YOU MAY HAVE SPECIAL CONCERNS
 

• Usually people ask about these two things:

• Public seizures (take you medications and it probably won’t happen)
  
• Driving (ask for special information on Michigan rules. Some restrictions depend on the cause of the seizure. Talk to you doctor or call your license bureau)

• Remember, people with seizures have the same emotional problems as everyone else. You may want to share your feelings with someone. Your health care providers can provide further information on seizures.

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Additional health information is also available through the MGH Health Information Center
(906)225-4950 or 1-800-562-9753, ext.4950.

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