|
|
|
WHAT IS A SEIZURE? Seizures occur when the normal electrical
signals from the brain that controll are changed. Seizures are different from person to
person. Most seizures do not involve shaking, but may involve loss of awareness. Other
people may become unconscious
and have violent shaking of the entire body. Not all seizures involve shaking or
convulsions. Some people with seizures briefly “zone out” or lose touch with
their surroundings and appear to just stare blankly. Although not asleep, the person is
not aware of what is going on around them. Afterwards, the person does not remember the
episode. Not all body shaking is caused by seizures. Tremors are a
type of body shaking that usually affects the hands and head. Different medical conditions
can cause tremors. About 10% of people will have a single seizure
during their life. Having one seizure does not always mean a serious health problem
exists. However, even a first-time seizure should be evaluated by a health professional.
It is important to rule out a serious illness
that may have caused the seizure. A seizure can be caused by many different
conditions. ¨ A child with a rapidly increasing fever can have a seizure (febrile seizure).
¨ An extremely low blood sugar level can trigger a seizure in a
person with diabetes. ¨ Psychological factors including emational and stress reactions can cause events that look similiar to seizures but aren't. ¨ Withdrawal
from alcohol, prescription medication, or street drugs
can cause seizures. ¨ It is not uncommon to have seizures with different infectionss,
such as meningitis or
encephalitis.
A brain tumor or structural defect in the brain may cause a
seizure. Structural defects can include: ¨ Aneurysms. An
aneurysm is a bulging section in the wall of a blood vessel that has become stretched out
and thin. ¨ Arteriovenous malformations. An arteriovenous malformation is a
congenital disorder that causes an abnormal web of blood vessels and veins in the brain,
brain stem, or spinal cord. The vessel walls of an arteriovenous malformation may become
weak and leak or rupture. ¨ Cysts. A cyst
is a saclike structure usually filled with fluid. Some cysts are filled with blood. Others
are filled with clear fluid or pus. ¨ Damage after a stroke, brain
surgery, or a head injury. ¨ Parasitic infections, such as tapeworm or toxoplasmosis.
¨ Problems that have been present since birth (congenital
problems).
One cause of seizures that recur is epilepsy, or seizure disorder. Epilepsy, one of the most common nervous system problems, can develop at any age. About 2.5 million Americans have epilepsy. There are MANY types of epilepsy. Here is a partial list of types of seizures: Seizures
Main Epilepsy has many causes, including head injury, stroke, birth injury, and brain tumor. Experts disagree whether epilepsy is passed from parent to child (inherited). Some studies suggest that there is not an increased risk of developing epilepsy if a parent has the disorder, while other studies suggest that the opposite is true. In most cases, the cause cannot be determined.
|