Seizures are changes in the brain’s electrical activity. This change can cause dramatic, noticeable symptoms or it may not cause any symptoms. The symptoms of a severe seizure include violent shaking and a loss of control. However, mild seizures can also be a sign of a significant medical problem, so recognizing them is important. Because some seizures can lead to injury or be evidence of an underlying medical condition, it’s important to seek treatment if you experience them.
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
You can experience both partial and generalized seizures at the same time, or one can precede the other. The symptoms can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes per episode. Sometimes, symptoms occur before the seizure takes place. These include:
-- a sudden feeling of fear or anxiousness
-- a feeling of being sick to your stomach
-- dizziness
-- a change in vision
-- a jerky movement of the arms and legs that may cause you to drop things
-- an out of body sensation
-- a headache
What causes seizures?
Seizures can stem from a number of health conditions. Anything that affects the body also may disturb the brain and lead to a seizure. Some examples include:
-- alcohol withdrawal
-- bites
-- stings
-- a brain infection, such as meningitis
-- a brain injury during childbirth
-- a brain defect present at birth
-- choking
-- drug abuse
-- an electrolyte imbalance