A QUICK GUIDE TO THE
GENERALIZED TYPES OF SEIZURES www.webmd.com
THE BASICS
Seizures occur when abnormal electrical impulses (AEI’s) fire within the brain triggering spasms and a loss of conciousness. The following are the five generalized types of seizures. THE BODY REPRESENTS PHYSICAL SIDE EFFECTS OF A SEIZURE. THE COLOR ORANGE REPRESENTS ABNORMAL ACTIVITY. THE BRAIN REPRESENTS MENTAL SIDE EFFECTS OF A SEIZURE.
Patients can experience mental and physical side effects of a seizure. The four most common are a loss of conciousness, convulsions, pain and fatigue.
GRAND MAL
Grand Mal seizures occur when AEI’s fire throughout the whole brain. A loss of consciousness is followed by strong convulsions, which can last up to 3 minutes, then a deep sleep. Loss of Conciousness Convulsions Physical Pain Fatigue
Patients collapse with strong convulsions over the entire body. Injuries and accidents may occur, such as tongue biting, and urinary incontinence.
MYOCLONIC
Myoclonic seizures occur when AEI’s fire in one side of the brain. Individuals often react as if hit by a sudden jolt of electricity. Convulsions are usually isolated to one side of the body. Loss of Conciousness Convulsions Physical Pain Fatigue
Patients sometimes describe these seizures as brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures may result in dropping or involuntarily throwing objects.
Clonic seizures are rare, but can occur at various ages, including
CLONIC
newborns. AEI’s fire from left-to-right and back within the brain, typically triggering muscle spasms. Loss of Conciousness Convulsions Physical Pain Fatigue
Patients experience spasms of the arms, head and legs on both sides of the body. Patients describe the spasms as repetitive and rhythmic jerks.
Tonic seizures most often occur during sleep and usually involve an AEI within all or most of the brain. They typically
TONIC
last no more than 20-30 seconds. Loss of Conciousness
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Convulsions Physical Pain Fatigue
Patients experience rigidness in arm, leg and chest muscles on both sides of the body, followed by mild spasms or convulsions throughout the extremities.
ABSENCE
Absence seizures, also called “Petit Mal�, involve a brief, sudden loss of consciousness. This happens when an AEI repeats within the brain every few seconds. Loss of Conciousness
3 SEC. LOOP
Convulsions Physical Pain Fatigue
Patients experience no outward reaction. These seizures begin and end abruptly and occur several times a day. Individuals seem to stare off into space.
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