Seizures are quick and wild electric shocks in the brain that may shift how a person acts, moves, feels, and thinks. They can be scary and mess up the day. When we know what makes them start and look at how doctors find and name them, we can help care for people in a focused way. In this blog, we will tell you some simple things to know about how to manage seizures symptoms, causes, and also see a lot, why they happen, and how they are found.
What Causes Seizures?
Seizures happen when the brain’s electric work is not in balance. Brain cells talk with each other using set electric signals. When these signals are not right, it can start a seizure. There are many reasons for seizures and they can be put into big groups:
1. Neurological Disorders
A known cause of seizures is epilepsy, a long-term sickness where one gets seizures again and again with no clear reason. Epilepsy may be passed down in families or come from odd shapes in the brain.
Other neurological disorders that can cause seizures include:
- Brain tumors
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
2. Metabolic Imbalances
When the body’s mix of things goes off, it can mess up how the brain works and lead to fits. Here are some reasons:
- Low blood sugar
- High fever in kids (called febrile fits)
- Not enough salts like sodium or calcium in the body
- Kidney or liver issues that let bad stuff build up
3. Genes
Some people get genes that make fits or epilepsy more likely. Often, these gene issues start when a person is young and might come with other growing problems.
4. Sickness
Some ill health can cause swelling in the brain (like encephalitis) and make fits more likely. Some big causes are:
- HIV/AIDS
- Tuberculosis(TB)
- Bugs in the brain (like neurocysticercosis)
5. Booze and Drugs
Drinking a lot or using drugs can set off fits:
- Big drinking followed by stopping (this causes alcohol fits)
- Using things that hype you up (like coke, meth)
- Stopping drugs that calm you (like benzos or barbs)
6. No Sleep and Stress
Not sleeping enough and a lot of stress can increase fitness risks, mostly in people who already have fitness issues. These things mess with brain patterns and make fits more likely.
7. Idiopathic Causes
Often, especially in young people, we don’t know why fits happen. These are called unknown reason fits. They might be tied to gene stuff, but we find no clear cause.
Types of Seizures
Seizures have types based on where they start in the brain and their effect on the body:
1. Focal (Partial) Seizures
They start in one part of the brain and can be:
- Simple focal seizures: Hit a small area; the person stays awake.
- Complex focal seizures: Change how aware or conscious a person is.
2. Generalized Seizures
These hit both sides of the brain and cover:
- Absence seizures: Short times where one is not aware, often in kids.
- Tonic-clonic seizures: Show as body stiffens and shakes.
- Myoclonic seizures: Quick, short muscle twitches.
- Atonic seizures: Quick drop in muscle strength, leading to falls.
3. Unknown Onset Seizures
When the start of the seizure isn’t known, especially if seen without full medical details.
How Are Seizures Diagnosed?
Diagnosing seizures takes many steps like medical past, body checks, brain tests, and scans. Since a seizure can happen with no one around or be short, getting it right can be hard.
1. Medical History
The first step asks for a full story of the seizure:
- What led up to, during, and after the event?
- Was there any sign before it happened?
- How long did it last?
- Was there a blackout or shakes?
- Is there a past of head hurt, sickness, or family seizure cases?
Knowing what others saw can also help. Doctors might ask about meds, drug use, and sleep too.
2. Neurological Examination
A body and mind check looks at:
- Reflexes
- Muscle power
- How well one moves
- Mind skills
This helps to see if a seizure comes from a brain issue.
3. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An EEG checks brain waves and is key for finding seizures. It can:
- Spot odd brain waves, even if there’s no ongoing seizure.
- Tell the type of seizure and epilepsy.
- Show possible triggers.
In some places, long EEG tests or video EEGs in hospitals catch seizure moments.
4. Neuroimaging (MRI and CT Scans)
Brain scans spot issues that may cause seizures, like:
- Tumors
- Fluid sacks
- Scars from hurt or illness
- Growth Tissue
MRI is often best for seeing tiny changes.
5. Blood Tests
Tests can find metabolic or sickness reasons for seizures, checking:
- Sugar levels
- Salt levels
- How the liver and kidneys work
- Signs of sickness or body fight
6. Lumbar Puncture
For suspected sickness or swelling, a spinal tap checks the fluid around the spine.
Conclusion
Seizures can hit anyone and come from many causes. Knowing the signs, kinds, and how they’re found is key to getting the right fix. If you or someone near you has a seizure, get help from a doctor. Learning the main facts about seizures can make handling them simpler and can make life better.
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