Generalized Seizures (Grand Mal Seizures)

Ordinarily, the brain`s nerve cells (neurons) communicate with one another by exhibiting tiny electric signals which pass from cell to cell. The electric signals` firing pattern reveals mental performance is. The positioning of these signs indicates what the brain does, such as believing, seeing, feeling, hearing, and controlling the movement of muscles, etc.. A seizure occurs when the shooting pattern of the brain`s electric signs suddenly becomes strange and unexpectedly intense, either at an isolated section of the mind or during the mind.

If the entire brain is involved, the electrical disturbance is called a generalized seizure. Such a seizure used to be called a grand mal seizure. The most recognizable symptom of a seizure is the body stiffness and jerking limbs known as motor activity.

Epilepsy is the problem to be more prone to seizures that are repeated, but this really is any kind of migraines, not simply generalized seizures. Without having epilepsy, Someone could have a seizure. Seizure disease is the word used more commonly than epilepsy Now.

Any situation that disturbs the environment of the brain can provokes A seizure. Some common causes include:

• A severe chemical imbalance in blood -- Abnormal levels of blood vessels, sodium, calcium or blood sugar (especially in diabetics)

• Medication reactions -- Reactions to prohibited drugs (crack cocaine, amphetamines and others), anesthetics or prescription drugs (penicillin, anti-asthma drugs, anticancer drugs and many other people )

• Medication withdrawal -- Withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives

• Medical illnesses -- Extreme high blood pressure (hypertension), eclampsia (a complication of pregnancy), liver failure, and kidney failure, and Sickle Cell disorder, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE), and Lots of other people

• A local problem between the brain -- Head trauma, developmental brain disorders, stroke, stroke, brain tumors, and illnesses within or near the mind (brain abscess, encephalitis, meningitis)

• Other causes -- High fever, sleep deprivation, starvation, flashing lights (even in movie games), intermittent sound and, rarely, menstruation

The seizure problem usually goes away if doctors can treat the disruption in the brain. If not, seizures can reunite over and over, whenever the problem flares up.

On occasion, a person will experience one which does occur for no apparent reason, an generalized seizure. In many people, such a seizure may be associated with some genetic (inherited) vulnerability which would make the brain cells unusually sensitive to minor fluctuations in the atmosphere. In other cases, seizures may be associated with scarring caused by way of a stroke or from prior head trauma, brain tumor or brain illness.

Lots of folks who have one seizure never experience a second one. However, if a second seizure does occur, of having more and a third, the danger is roughly 80 percent. For this reason, doctors often respect the next seizure for a indication of epilepsy.

Infection

A seizure begins. Without warning, the person loses consciousness and experiences the following symptoms:

• Becomes rigid (extends the arms and legs, arches the trunk ) and falls down

• Utters a cry (the"epileptic cry") as the diaphragm contracts and forces out air involving the contracted vocal cords

• Has jerking movements of the arms, arms, and trunk muscles

• Involuntarily feces and occasionally passes urine

The seizure usually subsides leaving the person sleepy and confused. Over the subsequent twenty four hours, they might complain of fatigue, headache, sore muscles and difficulty concentrating.

Diagnosis

When you`ve had symptoms of a seizure, your doctor will begin by looking for an inherent cause, such as low blood sugar or eclampsia. Your treatment will probably be aimed toward repairing the illness, if your doctor can confirm a definite reason for your seizure.

If your seizure seems to be un-provoked (perhaps maybe not brought about by any underlying medical problem), your doctor will review your medical history, genealogy and family history and some other eyewitness reports of your seizure indications. Then, the doctor order blood tests and will perform a thorough examination. Typically, the results of your assessments and blood tests will be normal.

Your doctor may also order an electroencephalogram (EEG), a painless test that detects the electrical activity in your brain and translates it into a collection of published patterns. In 40 percent to 50 percent of people with epilepsy, the very first EEG will show that a mixture. Repeat EEG tests will detect the unnatural brainwave pattern if the very first EEG is normal.

Some times when a collection of EEG evaluations fails to show signs of seizure activity, the diagnosis can be based on evidence from the accounts of those who have seen your seizure episodes.

In some cases, the health care provider can also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of the human mind to start looking for signs of a local problem, such as a brain tumor or discoloration from a previous brain injury. These scans are important if:

• You are an adult along with your generalized seizure.

• You have an odd pattern of symptoms.

• Your neural exam is unnatural.

• You have a history of brain damage (birth trauma, head trauma, train tumor, encephalitis, meningitis).

Expected Duration

About 1 / 2 of all people who have one seizure never have another.

Many people who have epilepsy can avoid seizures if they get enough sleep and take prescribed medications as directed. Most people with epilepsy need to take drugs indefinitely. Never stop drug without instructions from your personal doctor.

When you also have the standard EEG and have had only a couple of seizures, your doctor may reevaluate the significance of drugs if you`ve got no seizures.

Prevention

The majority of the time epilepsy can`t be prevented. However, Whether you`ve got epilepsy, it is possible to help by observing the following prevent a seizure:

• Avoid illegal drugs.

• Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.

• Faithfully follow your doctor`s treatment solution when you have diabetes or higher blood pressure.

• Protect yourself from head trauma by wearing seatbelts and bicycle helmets. Wear appropriate protective head gear if you play sports.

• Visit your doctor regularly, if you are pregnant.

Therapy

You may well not need still another, if you`ve had only 1 unprovoked seizure. For this reason, your doctor might choose to observe your state without prescribing drugs. In most cases, you will be considered to have a minimal risk of another seizure if you have no history of brain injury (tumor, trauma, diseases ), no history of epilepsy and normal results on diagnostic evaluations, including an EEG.

When you experienced at least two seizure episodes and have already been identified as having epilepsy, your doctor will treat you with an anti-epileptic medication (an anticonvulsant). Common anti epileptic medications used to treat generalized seizures involve valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol as well as others), phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate (Topamax). Your doctor will try a combination of two different drugs if your seizures cannot be controlled with one medication .

When To Call a Professional

If you or anyone in your family experiences a collection of symptoms that may actually be a generalized seizure, call your doctor immediately. Call your health care provider if you continue to have seizures even though you are taking medication if you already have already now been identified as having epilepsy.

In the event that you witness someone using a seizure that lasts for more than 5 minutes, call for emergency medical help. Also call for emergency medical help immediately if you witness someone with a seizure :

• After the seizure is over Doesn`t wake shortly

• Is a pregnant woman

• Is currently sporting medical identification jewelry saying that she or he has diabetes

• Includes a seizure after head trauma

• Includes a seizure when swimming

Prognosis

Many elements may play a role in determining whether or not a person with generalized epilepsy finally will become seizure-free. In general, the prognosis is best if you experienced hardly any seizures before beginning treatment, have good seizure control with only one anti epileptic medication, have the usual EEG between seizures, and have no history of brain damage, and have a normal neurological exam by the conclusion of treatment.

Oftentimes, the prognosis is quite great. Up to 70 percent of people with epilepsy turn out to be seizure-free for five or more years. About 30 percent are able to quit medication indefinitely.

Kids with generalized seizures can lead normal lives, for example engaging in sports.

External resources

National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, Phone: 301-496-5751Toll-Free: 1-800-352-9424TTY: 301-468-5981http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

American Academy of Neurology (AAN)1080 Montreal Ave. St. Paul, MN 55116 Phone: 651-695-2717Toll-Free: 1-800-879-1960Fax: 651-695-2791 https://www.aan.com/

Epilepsy Foundation4351, Toll-Free: 1-800-332-1000 http://www.efa.org/

American Epilepsy Society342 North Main St. West Hartford, CT 06117-2507Phone: 860-586-7505Fax: 860-586-7550http://www.aesnet.org/ /

Further info

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on these pages pertains to a personal circumstances.