Types of Convulsions A convulsion is a general term used to describe uncontrollable muscle contractions. Among some of the common causes of convulsions are epileptic seizures, febrile seizures, non-epileptic seizures, and medication-induced convulsions.
What happens during a convulsion?
A convulsion is an episode in which you experience rigidity and uncontrolled muscle spasms along with altered consciousness. The spasms cause jerky motions that generally last a minute or two.
What is the best treatment for convulsion?
Doctors often recommend psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to help treat non-epileptic seizures. These treatments help a person manage the underlying stress causing the seizures.
What do convulsions look like?
Puckering (jerking) of the lips, twitching of the corners of the mouth, or jaw jerking can also be seen. Sometimes rhythmic jerks of the head and legs may occur. Seizures last 10-60 seconds and typically occur daily. The level of awareness varies from complete loss of awareness to retained awareness.
What is the first aid for convulsion?
Stay calm, loosen anything around the person’s neck, do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth, clear the area around them, and stay with them after the seizure stops. Call 911 if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, the person has another seizure, does not wake up, or has another medical condition.
How can Convulsions be prevented?
Seizure Prevention Tips Here are some tips that may help reduce your risk of having an epilepsy seizure: Get plenty of sleep each night — set a regular sleep schedule, and stick to it. Learn stress management and relaxation techniques. Avoid drugs and alcohol.
How do you treat a convulsion at home?
First Aid
- Keep other people out of the way.
- Clear hard or sharp objects away from the person.
- Don’t try to hold them down or stop the movements.
- Place them on their side, to help keep their airway clear.
- Look at your watch at the start of the seizure, to time its length.
- Don’t put anything in their mouth.
Can convulsion be cured?
Is there a cure for epilepsy? There’s no cure for epilepsy, but early treatment can make a big difference. Uncontrolled or prolonged seizures can lead to brain damage.
What are the 3 types of seizures?
There are now 3 major groups of seizures.
- Generalized onset seizures:
- Focal onset seizures:
- Unknown onset seizures:
What is the first aid for a child having a feverish convulsion?
If you think your child is having a seizure due to fever, try to stay calm and: Gently place your child on the floor or the ground. Remove any nearby objects. Place your child on his or her side to prevent choking.
At what temperature do convulsions start?
What Are Febrile Seizures? Febrile seizures are convulsions that can happen when a young child has a fever above 100.4°F (38°C). (Febrile means “feverish.”) The seizures usually last for a few minutes and stop on their own.
Can convulsions affect the brain?
Prolonged seizures are clearly capable of injuring the brain. Isolated, brief seizures are likely to cause negative changes in brain function and possibly loss of specific brain cells.
What are the 3 main phases of a seizure?
Seizures take on many different forms and have a beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage.
What can cause convulsions in adults?
What causes adult-onset seizures?
- Central nervous system infection. Severe central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses can trigger seizures.
- Brain tumor.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Substance use and withdrawal.
- Alcohol poisoning and withdrawal.
- Stroke.
What does a silent seizure look like?
Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring blankly into space for a few seconds. Then, there is a quick return to a normal level of alertness. This type of seizure usually doesn’t lead to physical injury.