Additionally, make sure your family knows seizure first aid. This includes putting you on the floor and lying you on one side of your body. This position can help you breathe easier. They should also loosen neck ties and unbutton shirts around the neck. Conditions that can mimic a seizure include a migraine attack , stroke, narcolepsy , and Tourette syndrome.
To accurately diagnose a seizure, your doctor will ask about your medical history and the events that led up to the seizure. You may have an electroencephalogram EEG , which is a test that records the electrical activity in the brain. It helps detect abnormalities in brain waves. An EEG can diagnose different types of seizures, and help predict whether a seizure is likely to occur again.
Your doctor may also order tests to determine the underlying cause of seizures. A neurological exam can look for abnormalities in your nervous system, whereas a blood test can check for infections or genetic conditions that may contribute to seizures.
Imaging tests are also used to look for tumors, lesions, or cysts in your brain. If you have more than one seizure, however, your doctor may prescribe an anti-seizure medication to prevent future attacks. Different medications are effective against seizures. Your doctor will recommend one or more possible medications based on the type of seizure. Keep in mind that this procedure only works when seizures start in the same place. You might also be candidate for stimulation therapy.
Options include vagus nerve stimulation , responsive neural stimulation, or deep brain stimulation. These therapies help inhibit seizures by regulating normal brain activity. Living with epilepsy has its challenges, but you can live a normal life with the condition.
Some people eventually outgrow seizures, or go years in between seizures. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures. Seizures are the main sign of epilepsy. Some seizures can look like staring spells. Usually, a seizure lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. It depends on the type of seizure. Sometimes it is hard to tell when a person is having a seizure. A person with epilepsy can have more than one kind of seizure. Read more about types of seizures and what they look like.
Not always. Seizures can also happen because of other medical problems. These problems include:. Some known causes include:. For 2 in 3 people, the cause of epilepsy is unknown. This type of epilepsy is called cryptogenic or idiopathic.
Learn more about Epilepsy in the United States. Sometimes we can prevent epilepsy. These are some of the most common ways to reduce your risk of developing epilepsy:. Read more about epilepsy prevention. Turn them onto their side. Make sure the area around their body is clear of objects that could hurt them. Time the seizure. Treatment for tonic-clonic seizures can involve medication, surgery, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy or a combination of these approaches.
The seizure may start with a simple or complex partial seizure known as an aura. The person may experience abnormal sensations such as a particular smell, vertigo, nausea, or anxiety. If the person is familiar with having seizures, they may recognize the warning signs of a seizure about to begin.
When the tonic-clonic seizure begins, the person loses consciousness and may fall. Strong tonic spasms of the muscles can force air out of the lungs, resulting in a cry or moan, even though the person is not aware of their surroundings. There may be saliva or foam coming from the mouth. If the person inadvertently bites their tongue or cheek, blood may be visible in the saliva.
Seizure signs and symptoms may include:. Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how and where abnormal brain activity begins. Seizures may also be classified as unknown onset, if how the seizure began isn't known. Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain.
Focal seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness:. Symptoms of focal seizures may be confused with other neurological disorders, such as migraine, narcolepsy or mental illness. Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures.
Different types of generalized seizures include:. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive the latest on epilepsy treatment, care and management. Error Select a topic. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.
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This message will include the latest treatment options, innovations and other information from our epilepsy experts. Nerve cells neurons in the brain create, send and receive electrical impulses, which allow the brain's nerve cells to communicate. Anything that disrupts these communication pathways can lead to a seizure. Some types of seizure disorders may be caused by genetic mutations.
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