What is a seizure?
The human brain is made up of myriad of neurons that receive and convey information by communicating with one another. Now, there might be some amount of chaotic interruptions in the brain, which is considered to be normal. But when these multiple neurons disrupt simultaneously then it starts to create muscle tremors and powerful jolts. This reaction is known as a seizure, which is an unexpected electrical release in the brain causing changes in both physical and mental behavior.
Is a seizure same as epilepsy?
No, a seizure isn’t epilepsy but it can be described as a symptom of epilepsy. A little confusing, isn’t it? In simple words, a seizure is a single occurrence, whereas an epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can happen for two or more times in a short span of time. So, although these two terms are used interchangeably it is important to be aware that not all seizures are epileptic seizures.
What are the signs of seizures?
To effectively tackle seizures one most thoroughly know about its warning signs. This is because some signs of seizures can occur as quite vague or normal, making it hard for an individual to help the affected person. Recognizing these signs of seizures can help one gain early diagnosis as well as the much needed medical assistance.
Auras – One of the most common signs of seizures, auras occur when an affected individual realizes a strange odor or taste in their mouth or experience a disruption in their vision, such as witnessing blurry visuals or bright lights. One might sense a sudden temperature change and may also experience listening some sounds in the background. Certain areas of the body might end up feeling numb or feeble too.
Pain – Some individuals experience an abrupt pain right before the seizure occurs. Although the pain can occur anywhere in the body, most patients complain about a severe headache.
Peculiar emotional state – Often patients also complaint of experiencing strange moods, hours or days before the seizure occurs. This can include –
- Feelings of Déjà vu, i.e. sensing that one has experienced a similar situation before.
- Unlike Déjà vu, in Jamais vu a person feels completely unfamiliar in a situation in which they have already been in.
Such instances can cause the person to end up feeling entirely out of place and disoriented, basically causing the patient to detach from their actual environment.
Anxiety – Like auras, anxiety too is commonly observed as a sign of seizures. An adult individual may feel unusually stressed before the seizure. On the other hand, children might become awfully restless and irritable if a seizure is about to occur. People can also experience serious depression days before the episode of seizure occurs. Seizures can also cause abnormal heart palpitations and difficulty while breathing.
Speech – An individual may just stop talking completely, blabber something unintelligible or could just keep chatting continuously.
Strange physical behavior – The person might get numb, as they could’ve temporarily lost their consciousness. For instance, if the seizure occurs while person is eating they could just be unable to gulp down their food or start drooling. They may also persistently blink, stare incessantly at one place or move their eyes in an upward direction. Profusely sweating and suddenly getting pale is also one of the signs of seizures.
Automatisms – When a person experiences an automatism, he/she basically involuntarily repeats a certain kind of action. When an individual is affected by seizures he/she may unconsciously repeat movements which may involve playing with objects in hand, walking, sprinting, swaying the hand, etc.
Tremors – One of the most apparent signs of seizures are tremors in body. It could begin in one part of the body, and gradually progressing to the other parts. Mostly, it is a sudden and powerful twitching movements in face, hands and legs.
Loss of control – During a seizure, a person can get extremely weak and lose control over their body. This can cause them to collapse unpredictably, or lead them to lose control over their bowel or bladder functions.
Body stiffness – When a seizure ensues, the individual can experience severe body stiffness, making it impossible for them to move. This kind of stiffness can occur in the entire body or in one part of the body.
After the seizure subsides, a lot of chaos can ensue, especially emotionally. For instance, a person might take time to process the fact that a seizure had occurred. They might experience confusion, nausea, headache, weakness, dizziness, temporary loss of memory, anxiety, difficulty while enunciating, etc. They might also feel self-conscious, so it is imperative to make them feel comfortable and relaxed.
It quite crucial to remember that a seizure may have subsided, but it could possibly occur again. Therefore, a person should exercise vigilance and visit to a neurologist as soon as they can, to gain clarity about their health condition.
