What is a seizure?
“A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells (also called neurons or nerve cells) that causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements (stiffness, twitching or limpness), behaviors, sensations or states of awareness. Seizures are not all alike. A seizure can be a single event due to an acute cause, such as medication. When a person has recurring seizures, this is known as epilepsy.” [1]
Symptoms
“Symptoms vary based on the type of seizure. They also can range from mild to severe. Seizure symptoms may include:
- Temporary confusion.
- A staring spell.
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs that can’t be controlled.
- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Cognitive or emotional changes. They may include fear, anxiety or a feeling that you’ve already lived this moment, known as Deja vu.
A classification system distinguishes the different types of seizures. Health care professionals typically classify seizures as focal or generalized. Seizures are classified based on how and where the brain activity causing the seizure began. If health care professionals don’t know how the seizures began, they may classify the seizures as unknown onset.” [2]
What are the types of seizures?
“The type of seizure you have depends on which part of the brain the seizure starts in, if you are aware during the seizure or not, and is a change to your movement.
Seizures are classified into 3 major groups:
Focal onset
Focal onset seizures start in one small area of the brain (known as the ‘focus’) and may spread to other brain areas. They used to be known as partial seizures. You may be fully aware of what’s happening (‘focal aware’) or your awareness may be affected (‘focal impaired awareness’).
Generalized onset
Generalized onset seizures affect both sides of the brain from the start. This may cause you to lose consciousness (‘black out’). The seizures may be:
Generalized motor seizures — you may make stiffening and jerking movements, known as tonic-clonic seizures (previously called ‘grand mal’), or have other muscle effects
Generalized non-motor seizures — you have changes in awareness, may stare or have repeated movements like lip-smacking or pulling at clothes
Unknown onset
Unknown onset seizures are those that haven’t been diagnosed as either focal or generalized in onset because it’s not clear where the seizure started in the brain. This may be because you were asleep or alone when the seizure started.” [4]
Causes
“Nerve cells in the brain, known as neurons, create, send and receive electrical impulses. This allows the cells to communicate. Anything that disrupts the communication pathways can lead to a seizure. Some types of seizures may be caused by genetic changes.
The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy. But not every person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may be caused or triggered by:
- A high fever. When this happens, the seizure is known as a febrile seizure.
- An infection of the brain. This may include meningitis or encephalitis.
- Severe general illness, including a severe infection of COVID-19.
- Lack of sleep.
- Low blood sodium. This can happen with medicine that makes you urinate.
- Certain medicines that treat pain, depression or help people stop smoking. They can make it easier for seizures to happen.
- A new, active brain injury, such as head trauma. It can cause bleeding in an area of the brain or a new stroke.
- The use of legal or illegal drugs that may be sold on the streets, such as amphetamines or cocaine.
- Alcohol misuse, including during times of withdrawal or extreme intoxication.” [2]
How can I help someone having a seizure?
“If someone near you has a seizure, there are things you should and shouldn’t do:
- Stay with them during the seizure, until it is over.
- Roll them on their side in the recovery position during the seizure if they have fluid or vomit in their mouth.
- Put something soft under their head and shoulders.
- Remove any sharp or unstable objects from the area.
- Don’t try to hold the person down or stop the jerking — just try to stop them from injuring themselves.
- Don’t move the person unless they are in danger.
- Don’t put anything in their mouth.
- Notice how long the seizure lasts and watch their breathing, so you can tell the person’s doctor or emergency responder.
After the seizure is finished you should do the following:
Talk to them calmly to reassure them, until they regain consciousness (are fully awake and aware of what’s going on).
If they fall asleep after the seizure don’t wake them but watch their breathing.
Don’t let them eat or drink until the seizure has completely stopped.” [4]
Adults with IDD and Seizures….
“It’s not shocking news to hear that individual with disabilities have more health issues than the general population. Unfortunately, individuals with intellectual disabilities also have an increased risk of developing epilepsy. According to the Epilepsy Foundation Metropolitan New York, about 30% of children with epilepsy have another developmental disability, and the risk of children with developmental disabilities below the age of 5 years old having a seizure is 4 times higher than other children at that age. As adults, 10-20% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) also have epilepsy and for those individuals with and IDD and cerebral palsy it increases to 50%.
The best way to try to control seizures is to be aware of all the facts surrounding them – times of day they occur, how long they last, frequency per day, possible triggers (missed medication, overtired, dehydrated, alcohol use) and any feelings/effects afterwards. The more information you can present to your physician the better they will be able to understand the big picture of what’s happening and provide better care for the individual.” [7]
You’re not alone
“Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out to family and friends. Ask your health care professional about local support groups or join an online support community. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having a strong support system is important to living with any medical condition.” [6]
Resources
[1] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/epilepsy/types-of-seizures
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20365711
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/seizures#types
[4] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/seizures
[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365730