Seizures

Seizures can be scary to see or experience but they happen more often than many think. In fact, millions of people will have a seizure at some point in their lives.

Most seizures are brief and not dangerous, but they can be a sign of another health problem. At Banner Health, our neurology specialists are here to help you understand what is happening, find the cause and develop a tailored care plan.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden change in the brain’s electrical activity. Think of it as a power surge. This surge can affect how your body moves, how you feel and how aware you are. 

It’s important to understand that a seizure is not a disease. It’s a symptom, like a cough or a fever, that something is happening in the brain. A seizure can happen in a healthy person or someone with an underlying condition.

Seizure vs. epilepsy

While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, seizures and epilepsy are not the same thing:

• A seizure is a single event caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. One seizure does not mean you have epilepsy.
• Epilepsy is a spectrum disorder diagnosed when you have repeated, unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy can be caused by brain injury, genetic factors or other neurological conditions.

In short, a seizure is a sign or symptom, while epilepsy is a diagnosed condition. It’s possible to have a seizure (such as a febrile seizure) without having epilepsy.

Learn more about epilepsy including testing, diagnosis, treatment and care. 

Types of seizures

Health care specialists classify seizures as either focal (partial) seizures or generalized seizures.

Focal seizures   

These seizures start in one side of the brain:

• Focal aware seizure: You remain aware but might have jerks, tingling or unusual sensations.
• Focal impaired seizure: You lose awareness, stare blankly or repeat simple movements like lip-smacking or hand rubbing. 

Generalized seizures

These affect both sides of the brain at the same time:

• Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures): You lose consciousness, your muscles stiffen and jerk and you may lose bladder control.
• Tonic seizures: You lose consciousness and your muscles stiffen, but you do not have convulsions.
• Absence seizures (petit mal seizures): You briefly stare into space, but you do not have convulsions.
• Myoclonic seizures: You suddenly jerk or twitch your arms and legs.
• Atonic seizures: You suddenly lose muscle control, which can cause you to fall.

Other types

Some seizures don’t fit neatly into these categories. It is possible for a seizure to start on one side of the brain and then spread to the other side. This is known as a focal to bilateral seizure.

A neurologist can help identify the type of seizure and recommend the best treatment.

Common signs and symptoms of seizures

Seizures can look very different depending on the type and the part of the brain involved. Some seizures are visible to others, while others are not. Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes.

Some symptoms include:

• Sudden loss of awareness or brief loss of consciousness
• Muscle jerking or stiffening (tonic-clonic or grand mal seizures)
• Blank staring spells (absence or petit mal seizures)
• Confusion or trouble speaking
• Strange smells, tastes or feelings before a seizure
• Tiredness or confusion after the seizure (post-seizure fatigue)
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Teeth clenching or drooling
• Noise making (grunting or snorting)

Causes and triggers of seizures

Seizures can happen for many reasons. Sometimes the cause is clear, but at other times, testing is necessary to determine the reason.

Possible causes

• Brain injury or head trauma
• Stroke or brain tumor
• Infections like meningitis or encephalitis
• Low blood sugar or other metabolic problems
• Genetic conditions (conditions you are born with) affecting brain activity

Common triggers

Even in people with seizure disorders, certain triggers may increase the risk:

• Stress
• Flashing or bright lights
• Lack of sleep
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Intense exercise
• High fever (febrile) or illness
• Alcohol or drug use
• Missed seizure medicine
• Medicine withdrawal (quitting prescribed medication cold turkey without tapering off)

Who is at risk for seizures?

Anyone can have a seizure. But some groups are at higher risk. Those include:

• Children and teens, especially those with fever or genetic conditions
• Older adults, due to stroke, brain disease or injury
• People with a family history of seizures or epilepsy 
• People with neurological conditions like brain injuries or tumors

Seizure first aid: What to do

Here are steps you can take to help someone if they have a seizure:

1. Stay calm and time the seizure
2. Move objects out of the way
3. Help them to the ground and place something soft under their head
4. Roll them gently onto their side
5. Do not put anything in their mouth
6. Stay until they are fully awake and alert
7. Time it 

Learn more about what to do (and not to do) if someone has a seizure.

When to call 911

Call for emergency help if:

• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• The person has trouble breathing afterward
• It is their first seizure
• They get hurt during the seizure
• They are pregnant, have diabetes or a heart condition

When to see your provider

You should schedule an appointment if:

• You or a loved one has a seizure for the first time
• Seizures happen more than once
• Seizures happen without a clear reason
• You notice warning signs like sudden loss of awareness, repeated staring spells or muscle jerks

How seizures are diagnosed

If you experience a seizure, a health care specialist will work to find the cause and type. 

Diagnosis usually includes:

• Medical history: Your provider will ask about your symptoms, family history of seizures and any triggers you’ve noticed.
• Physical and neurological exam: Checking how your brain and nervous system are working.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): Measures the brain’s electrical activity to find abnormal patterns.
• Imaging tests: MRI or CT scans can look for brain injury, tumors or other causes.
• Blood tests: Check for metabolic or chemical problems that may trigger seizures.

Treatment for seizures

Treatment depends on the type of seizure, its cause and how often it happens. Common approaches include:

• Medication: Anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medicines help control seizures by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain and preventing future episodes.
• Lifestyle changes: Regular sleep, stress management and avoiding triggers like alcohol or flashing lights.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
• Devices: A surgeon can implant a device into your brain to deliver a mild electrical current. This can help prevent seizures or alert caregivers if a seizure happens.
• Diet: Certain diets, like the ketogenic diet, may help reduce seizure frequency.
• Therapies: Physical, occupational or speech therapy may be recommended if seizures affect daily life.

Working closely with a neurologist ensures the safest and most effective treatment for you or a loved one. 

Can seizures be prevented?

It’s not possible to fully prevent seizures, but you can take steps to lower your risk, like avoiding known triggers.

Get care at Banner Health

Seizures can be scary and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. At Banner Health, our neurologists provide expert care, from diagnosis through long-term management.

Find a neurologist

Learn about epilepsy care