What is the difference between seizure epilepsy and convulsion?
Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that involves recurring seizures not caused by another known condition. There are many types of seizures, but a tonic-clonic seizure, otherwise known as grand mal seizure, is the type that usually involves convulsions.
What are the signs and symptoms of convulsion or seizure?
General symptoms or warning signs of a seizure can include:
- Staring.
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Stiffening of the body.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.
What are convulsions?
The term “seizure” is often used interchangeably with “convulsion.” During convulsions a person has uncontrollable shaking that is rapid and rhythmic, with the muscles contracting and relaxing repeatedly. There are many different types of seizures. Some have mild symptoms without shaking.
What are seizures without convulsions?
Some people experience symptoms similar to those of an epileptic seizure but without any unusual electrical activity in the brain. When this happens it is known as a non-epileptic seizure (NES). NES is most often caused by mental stress or a physical condition.
Do all seizures involve convulsions?
Not all seizures are characterized by convulsions. Convulsions involve uncontrollable shaking, but if you have a seizure you can simply feel confused without a physical reaction. You might easily appear to be staring at something that isn’t there.
Why do convulsions occur?
Convulsions can be caused by specific chemicals in the blood, as well as infections like meningitis or encephalitis. Other possibilities include celiac disease, head trauma, stroke or lack of oxygen to the brain. Sometimes the convulsion can be caused by genetic defects or brain tumors.
How do you treat convulsions?
First Aid
- Keep other people out of the way.
- Clear hard or sharp objects away from the person.
- Don’t try to hold them down or stop the movements.
- Place them on their side, to help keep their airway clear.
- Look at your watch at the start of the seizure, to time its length.
- Don’t put anything in their mouth.
How do convulsions occur?
Causes. Convulsions are the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The specific cause is often not clear. Convulsions can be caused by specific chemicals in the blood, as well as infections like meningitis or encephalitis.
Are myoclonic jerks seizures?
A myoclonic seizure is a type of generalized seizure, meaning it occurs on both sides of the brain. It causes muscle jerking that often lasts for 1 or 2 seconds.
What are the 3 types of seizures?
There are now 3 major groups of seizures.
- Generalized onset seizures:
- Focal onset seizures:
- Unknown onset seizures:
What do convulsions look like?
Puckering (jerking) of the lips, twitching of the corners of the mouth, or jaw jerking can also be seen. Sometimes rhythmic jerks of the head and legs may occur. Seizures last 10-60 seconds and typically occur daily. The level of awareness varies from complete loss of awareness to retained awareness.
What triggers convulsion?
What is the difference between a seizure and a convulsion?
Summary – Seizure vs Convulsion. Seizures can be defined as the occurrence of symptoms and signs due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain whereas convulsions are the repetitive jerky muscle movements typically seen in the seizures. Although most of the varieties of seizures have convulsions as a clinical feature,…
What is a typical seizure?
When the seizure passes, the person returns to normal, with no memory of the event and no lingering effects. Generally speaking, typical absence seizures have no discernible cause. Atypical seizures are similar to typical seizures, except they tend to begin more slowly, last longer (up to a few minutes), and can include slumping or falling down.
What are the early signs of epilepsy?
Abnormal sensation such as unusual feeling under the breastbone or in the stomach can be a sign of temporal lobe epilepsy.
How many people have seizure?
300,000 people have a first seizure each year and 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed yearly. Approximately 2.7 million Americans have epilepsy and, over a lifetime, approximately 10\% of Americans will have at least one seizure.