What is the difference between epilepsy and convulsions?
convulsion| epilepsy| As nouns the difference between convulsionand epilepsy is that convulsionis (medicine) an intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction while epilepsyis (pathology) a medical condition in which the sufferer experiences seizures (or convulsions) and blackouts.
What causes seizures in adults for the first time?
population based studies indicate that 25-30% of first seizures are “acute symptomatic” or “provoked” by a brain insult or a metabolic or toxic disturbance of brain function. 8 - 10 provoking factors include fever, head injury, excessive alcohol intake, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, hypoglycaemia, electrolyte disturbance, brain infection, …
How to recognize epileptic seizure signs?
- Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching or a change in sensation, such as a strange taste or smell.
- Complex focal seizures can make a person with epilepsy confused or dazed. ...
- Secondary generalized seizures begin in one part of the brain, but then spread to both sides of the brain. ...
What happens during a seizure?
What Happens During a Seizure?
- Beginning: Some people are aware of the beginning of a seizure, possibly as much as hours or days before it happens.
- Middle: The middle of a seizure is often called the ictal phase. ...
- Ending: As the seizure ends, the postictal phase occurs - this is the recovery period after the seizure. ...
- You are not alone. ...
Can you have a seizure without convulsions?
The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion." During convulsions a person has uncontrollable shaking that is rapid and rhythmic, with the muscles contracting and relaxing repeatedly. There are many different types of seizures. Some have mild symptoms without shaking.
Do all epileptic seizures result in shaking?
Some seizures cause the body to jerk and shake (a "fit"), while others cause problems like loss of awareness or unusual sensations.
What type of seizure has no convulsions?
An absence seizure is a generalized onset seizure, which means it begins in both sides of the brain at the same time. An older term is petit mal seizures. Absence seizures usually affect only a person's awareness of what is going on at that time, with immediate recovery.
What's the difference between seizures and convulsions?
A convulsion is a general term that people use to describe uncontrollable muscle contractions. Some people may use it interchangeably with the word “seizure,” although a seizure refers to an electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures may cause a person to have convulsions, but this is not always the case.
What are the 4 types of epilepsy?
There are four main types of epilepsy: focal, generalized, combination focal and generalized, and unknown. A person's seizure type determines what kind of epilepsy they have....The three primary seizure types are:generalized seizures.focal seizures.unknown seizures.
How often does a person with epilepsy have seizures?
Seizures can also vary in frequency, from less than one per year to several per day. One seizure does not signify epilepsy (up to 10% of people worldwide have one seizure during their lifetime). Epilepsy is defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures.
What is the mildest form of epilepsy?
Focal seizures can be so mild that people remain completely aware during the seizures. These seizures often go undiagnosed until more severe seizures occur.
What is the difference between epileptic and nonepileptic seizures?
Unlike epileptic seizures, non-epileptic seizures are not caused by physical disorders of the brain. Rather, non- epileptic seizures may result from traumatic psychological experiences or unusual stresses, sometimes even those in the forgotten past.
What can be mistaken for a seizure?
Movement disorders — Tics, tremors, and other involuntary movements can look like a myoclonic seizure or focal seizure, but they may be caused by things like Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's disorder, Huntington's disease, and other disorders that affect the brain.
Can people with epilepsy drive?
Having uncontrolled epilepsy increases your risk of having an epileptic seizure while driving, which can place you and other road users at risk.
What is a drop seizure?
Atonic seizures are a type of seizure that causes sudden loss of muscle strength. These seizures are also called akinetic seizures, drop attacks or drop seizures. The sudden lack of muscle strength, or tone, can cause the person to fall to the ground. The person usually remains conscious, and may not always fall down.
What are partial seizures?
A partial (focal) seizure happens when unusual electrical activity affects a small area of the brain. When the seizure does not affect awareness, it is known as a simple partial seizure. Simple partial seizures can be: Motor - affecting the muscles of the body. Sensory - affecting the senses.
How can you tell the difference between a seizure and a tremor?
Tremors resolve with restraint, whereas clonic activity (with a rate typically at 1-3 per second) will persist during restraint attempts. Remember that myoclonic movements may be either epileptic or nonepileptic.
Can you have a seizure and not know it?
You may not remember the seizure or even know that it occurred. Focal seizures without loss of consciousness. These seizures may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound, but you don't lose consciousness.
Do people shake during seizures?
The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion." During convulsions a person has uncontrollable shaking that is rapid and rhythmic, with the muscles contracting and relaxing repeatedly. There are many different types of seizures. Some have mild symptoms without shaking.
What is a drop seizure?
Atonic seizures are a type of seizure that causes sudden loss of muscle strength. These seizures are also called akinetic seizures, drop attacks or drop seizures. The sudden lack of muscle strength, or tone, can cause the person to fall to the ground. The person usually remains conscious, and may not always fall down.
What is a seizure disorder?
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where brain activities are abnormal, causing more than one or recurrent episodes of seizures. Most cases of seizures can be managed conservatively with medication and supportive treatments.
What is the brain disorder that causes seizures?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. Treatment of epilepsy (seizures) depends upon the cause and type of seizures experienced.
How is epilepsy treated?
The doctor will first diagnose the type of epilepsy before initiating treatment. Treatment will also depend on:
What is the procedure to remove epileptic seizures?
Epilepsy surgery is a neurosurgical procedure to prevent or reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy surgery involves removal or surgical alteration of the part of the brain from which epileptic seizures originate. Success depends on the condition, procedure and severity of the epileptic condition; epilepsy covers many different seizure disorders.
What is the risk of epilepsy surgery?
Epilepsy surgery comes with the risk of tissue and nerve damage, meningitis infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, among others specific to each procedure. Epilepsy surgery is a neurosurgical procedure to prevent or reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy surgery involves removal or surgical alteration of the part of the brain which is the focal point for onset of seizures.
What is a convulsion?
Convulsions are a type of seizure that involves involuntary shaking and stiffening of the entire body. This means all convulsions are seizures but not all seizures are convulsions.
What is it called when the brain changes?
A seizure is a sudden change in the brain's normal electrical activity. During a seizure , brain cells fire uncontrollably than their normal rate, temporarily affecting the way a person behaves, moves, thinks, or feels. Recurrent seizures are called epilepsy. Seizures are usually categorized into three types depending on their onset.
What causes a convulsion?
Convulsions can be a symptom of a number of conditions, including a sudden fever spike, tetanus, or very low blood sugar. Keep reading to learn more about what causes them and what to do if someone is having a convulsion.
What is a convulsion?
A convulsion is a type of seizure. Seizures involve bursts of electrical activity in the brain. There are many different types of seizures, and the symptoms of a seizure depend on where in the brain the seizure is happening. These electrical storms in the brain may be caused by illness, a reaction to a medication, or other medical conditions.
How long do convulsions last?
Convulsions are easy to spot, with symptoms such as: These symptoms usually last from a few seconds to several minutes, though they can last longer. Children may be cranky after a febrile convulsion and some may fall into a deep sleep lasting an hour or more.
How to stop a fever from a convulsion?
Febrile convulsions are likely to end before you can call for help. Try to lower the fever by taking off extra blankets and heavy clothing. Offer comfort and reassurance.
Does having a febrile convulsion increase the risk of developing epilepsy?
Having had febrile convulsions does not increase the risk of developing epilepsy.
Is a convulsion a singular event?
Convulsions can be a singular event. You may never learn the cause or have any ill effects.
Can you have epilepsy if you have convulsions?
If you’ve had convulsions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have epilepsy, but it could. Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic condition. Convulsions can be a reaction to a single medical event or a part of a medical condition.
Why is it important to classify seizures?
This is important because some medicines and treatments work for some seizures but not for others. It is also important medical health professionals use the same description for the seizures.
What happens in a seizure?
A seizure can be anything from an absence seizure – which can be a brief lack of awareness , right through to a tonic-clonic seizure where the whole body is involved in uncontrolled movements.
What is a seizure?
A seizure is the medical term for a fit or convulsion. One in twenty people will have a seizure at some point in their lives. However, not everyone who has a seizure will have epilepsy.
How is epilepsy treated?
Epilepsy can be treated with anti-epileptic drugs. Although these can’t cure the condition, they can halt or reduce the occurrence of the seizures.
How long is a seizure free driver's license valid?
Have not had an epileptic attack in the last 12 months, unless they have seizures that fall under one of the concessions. Comply with the advice of their doctor or consultant concerning treatment and check-ups. Once seizure free for 5 years, drivers will usually be issued a licence valid until they’re 70.
What is the diagnosis of epilepsy?
A diagnosis of epilepsy is made when someone has had at least one unprovoked seizure – that cannot be attributed to any other cause. Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and epileptic seizures occur when there is a surge of electrical activity and messages that get confused.
What are the factors that determine the classification of a seizure?
The classification system took three factors into account: 1) Where the seizure started in the brain. 2) The patient’s levels of awareness during the seizure. 3) Whether the seizure involved movement or not. 1. Where the seizure starts (the onset) Seizures can be either focal onset, generalised onset, or unknown onset.
What are the symptoms of a seizure?
Seizures symptoms vary and can include a sudden change in awareness or full loss of consciousness, unusual sensations or thoughts, involuntary twitching or stiffness in the body or severe stiffening and limb shaking with loss of consciousness (a convulsion.) There are two major classes or groups of seizures: focal onset and generalized onset.
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.
Why is it important to get a seizure diagnosis?
It is important for the doctor to get an accurate seizure diagnosis in order to implement the most appropriate kind of treatment. Focal and generalized onset seizures usually have different causes and accurately diagnosing seizure types often helps identify the cause for the seizures.
What is a myoclonic seizure?
Myoclonic seizures consist of sudden body or limb jerks that can involve the arms, head and neck. The spasms occur on both sides of the body in clusters, especially in the morning. When these seizures develop in adolescence along with tonic-clonic seizures, they are part of a syndrome called juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. People can also have myoclonic seizures as part of other epilepsy related-conditions.
Why are focal seizures important?
These seizures are important to treat and prevent since they can cause respiratory problems and injuries.
Why do people have focal seizures?
Focal seizures are also called partial seizures since they begin in one area of the brain. They can be caused by any type of focal injury that leaves scar tangles. Medical history or MRI will identify a cause (such as trauma, stroke or meningitis) in about half of the people who have focal seizures. Developmental scars — ones that occur as part of fetal and early growth of the brain — are common causes of focal seizures in children.
Where do focal onset seizures start?
Focal onset seizures start in one area and can spread across the brain and cause mild or severe symptoms, depending on how the electrical discharges spread.
What is the name of the disorder in which the brain is abnormally able to make seizures?
Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness.
What are the causes of epilepsy?
Stroke and other blood vessel (vascular) diseases can lead to brain damage that may trigger epilepsy. You can take a number of steps to reduce your risk of these diseases, including limiting your intake of alcohol and avoiding cigarettes, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Dementia.
How do you know if you have epilepsy?
Seizure signs and symptoms may include: Temporary confusion. A staring spell. Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Loss of consciousness or awareness .
What causes epilepsy in older adults?
Brain conditions that cause damage to the brain, such as brain tumors or strokes, can cause epilepsy. Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in adults older than age 35. Infectious diseases. Infectious diseases, such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis, can cause epilepsy. Prenatal injury.
What happens if you have a family history of epilepsy?
Family history. If you have a family history of epilepsy, you may be at an increased risk of developing a seizure disorder.
What causes cerebral palsy in babies?
This brain damage can result in epilepsy or cerebral palsy. Developmental disorders.
What happens if you fall during a seizure?
If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone. Drowning. If you have epilepsy, you're 15 to 19 times more likely to drown while swimming or bathing than the rest of the population because of the possibility of having a seizure while in the water. Car accidents.
What is it called when you have a seizure?
When seizures become a consistent problem, this condition is called epilepsy.
What is the medical term for a seizure?
Epilepsy is the medical name given to the condition in which you experience recurrent seizures. When these seizures are tied to another event — like drug or alcohol withdrawal — the underlying cause is treated, and it’s usually diagnosed as a nonepileptic seizure.
What type of epilepsy is characterized by sudden loss of muscle control?
These seizures are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle control with no known cause. Benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE).
When does epilepsy become refractory?
Refractory epilepsy. Your epilepsy may be called refractory if the seizures continue despite medication. Reflex epilepsy.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy, but they can also be caused by a number of other events.
What are the stimuli that trigger reflex epilepsy?
Reflex epilepsy. These types of epilepsy involve seizures are triggered by external or internal stimuli like emotions, temperature changes, or lights.
How many cases of epilepsy can be prevented?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to a quarter of all epilepsy cases can be prevented. While this doesn’t apply to epilepsy caused by genetics, the WHO shares a number of measures that could help prevent epilepsy, including:
