Define seizure

A seizure is an unregulated, abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that temporarily disrupts normal brain functioning. Seizures occur in the brain’s cortical gray matter but may affect several other regions of the brain. This article discusses what seizure disorders are and the types of seizure disorders. It also provides information on treatment, symptoms, and when to contact a doctor. Share on Pinterest Madrolly/Getty Images Many conditions, disorders, and other factors can cause seizure or seizure disorders, • cerebral • central nervous system (CNS) infections • brain malformations • genetic disorders • head trauma or injury • sores or tumors growing on the brain • exposure to toxins • certain drugs, such as CNS stimulants, sedating antihistamines, and antipsychotics • cerebral ischemia or hypoxia, which is when the brain is starved of oxygen • autoimmune disorders • stroke • withdrawal from alcohol • flashing lights, repetitive sounds, parts of music and video games, or, rarely, touch • metabolic and electrolyte disorders • lack of sleep • extreme The most common causes of seizure disorders vary by age in many cases. Examples based on age include: • Less than 2 years old: • 2–14 years old: Fever, tumors, and infections. • Adults: Tumors, stroke, head injury, and infections. • Older adults: Stroke, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases such as There are three major types of seizure disorders: Epileptic seizure disorder (ESD) Epilepsy or ESD is a chronic neurologic...

Recent Examples on the Web The State Department posted the hefty reward for Maximilian Rivkin, who has escaped arrest since the 2021 takedown of the ANOM network, which saw 800 arrested on three continents as well as seizures of 38 tons of drugs and $48 million in various currencies. — CBS News, 7 June 2023 The cause was thought to be an epileptic seizure, according to his manager, Jackie Strydom. — Alan Cowell, New York Times, 1 June 2023 When can drinking become dangerous? Symptoms of alcohol poisoning can be confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, skin discoloration, low body temp and trouble staying conscious. — Morgan Womack, The Indianapolis Star, 28 May 2023 People have experienced side effects such as agitation, confusion, sedation, hallucinations, seizures and liver toxicity, according to a 2021 World Health Organization's expert committee on drug dependence report. — Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 27 May 2023 In order to analyze the brain after traumatic injuries, help treat disorders such as seizures, and embed brain-computer interfaces, scientists at times lay grids of electrodes onto the surface of the brain. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 May 2023 Nationalizations by government decree and seizures of lands and businesses by workers placed management challenges on the state. — Patrick Iber, The New Republic, 15 May 2023 Specifically, the senators, led by Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa and Democrat Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut — both from the Armed Serv...

A seizure is a condition where brain cells malfunction and send electrical signals uncontrollably. That causes symptoms affecting other parts of your brain and your body. Everyone can have seizures, but some people can have them more easily for various reasons. Seizures are often treatable, especially depending on the underlying cause. Overview When seizures happen, the flow of electrical signals in your brain is disrupted. What is a seizure? A seizure is a medical condition where you have a temporary, unstoppable surge of electrical activity in your brain. When that happens, the affected brain cells uncontrollably fire signals to others around them. This kind of electrical activity overloads the affected areas of your brain. That overload can cause a wide range of symptoms or effects. The possible symptoms include abnormal sensations, passing out and uncontrolled muscle movements. Treatment options, depending on seizure type, include medications, surgeries and special diet changes. The term seizure comes from the ancient belief in multiple cultures that seizures were a sign of possession by an evil spirit or demon. However, modern medicine has uncovered the truth: Everyone can have seizures, and some people can have them more easily than others. What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy? Understanding the difference between seizures and epilepsy starts with knowing seizures fall into two main categories depending on why they happen. • Provoked seizures: These h...

Overview A febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child that's caused by a fever. The fever is often from an infection. Febrile seizures occur in young, healthy children who have normal development and haven't had any neurological symptoms before. It can be frightening when your child has a febrile seizure. Fortunately, febrile seizures are usually harmless, only last a few minutes, and typically don't indicate a serious health problem. Symptoms Usually, a child having a febrile seizure shakes all over and loses consciousness. Sometimes, the child may get very stiff or twitch in just one area of the body. A child having a febrile seizure may: • Have a fever higher than 100.4 F (38.0 C) • Lose consciousness • Shake or jerk the arms and legs Febrile seizures are classified as simple or complex: • Simple febrile seizures. This most common type lasts from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Simple febrile seizures do not recur within a 24-hour period and are not specific to one part of the body. • Complex febrile seizures. This type lasts longer than 15 minutes, occurs more than once within 24 hours or is confined to one side of your child's body. Febrile seizures most often occur within 24 hours of the onset of a fever and can be the first sign that a child is ill. When to see a doctor See your child's doctor as soon as possible after your child's first febrile seizure, even if it lasts only a few seconds. Call an ambulance to take your child to the emergency room if the seizure lasts...

Seizures are a neurological disorder that can range from minor to severe, frequent to rare. This wide range of symptoms and frequency can make seizures difficult to treat. Severe seizures can even cause loss of consciousness. For some types of seizures, there can be a warning. A seizure aura is a phenomenon where your brain signals the approach of an oncoming seizure. Keep reading to learn more about seizure auras, what they are, and what they mean. An aura is the feeling you may have before the onset of a seizure. Typically, these occur before a Auras are actually a type of seizure called focal aware seizures (FAS). When a FAS happens before another, more severe type of focal seizure, it’s considered an aura. Auras can include many sensations, from sights, sounds, or smells to pain, numbness, or headaches. The While auras, or focal seizures, in this area may be mild, there are also more severe seizures and seizure disorders that affect the frontal lobe, causing more significant symptoms. Aura that start in the frontal lobe may include symptoms like: • feeling a wave or ripple that travels through your head • twitching or stiffening in your arm, hand, or other part of your body • headache or pain The temporal lobe of the brain is located behind your ears, and it controls auditory processing and making the sounds of spoken language meaningful. Auras that start in the temporal lobe may include symptoms like: • a sensation in your stomach like you’re falling or riding a rolle...

Overview Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than in adults. A person having an absence seizure may stare blankly into space for a few seconds. Then the person typically returns quickly to being alert. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury. But injury can result during the period when the person loses consciousness. This is particularly true if someone is driving a car or riding a bike when the seizure happens. Symptoms A simple absence seizure causes a vacant stare, which may be mistaken for a brief lapse in attention. The seizure lasts about 10 seconds, though it may last as long as 30 seconds. There's no confusion, headache or drowsiness after the seizure. Symptoms of absence seizures include: • A sudden stop in activity without falling. • Lip smacking. • Eyelid flutters. • Chewing motions. • Finger rubbing. • Small movements of both hands. Afterward, there's usually no memory of the incident. But if the seizure is longer, the person may be aware of missed time. Some people have many episodes daily. When it happens, it can interfere with school or daily activities. A child may have absence seizures for some time before an adult notices them. This is because the seizures are so brief. A decline in a child's learning ability may be the first sign of the seizure disorder. Teachers may say the child has trouble paying attention or that a child is often daydreaming. When to see a doctor Contac...