Seizure Symptoms

Our brain is a storehouse of a multitude of nerve cells known as neurons, which are analogous to tiny telephone wires. These wires are responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals to the different parts of the brain. These signals or information make the body perform all its functions. Now, in seizures, what happens is that the neurons undergo abnormal electrical discharge or an altered electrical activity. This might signify that the neurons in the brain are malfunctioning by firing when they are not supposed to and vice versa. Not only adults, even infants and children may suffer from seizures.

Symptoms and Signs of Seizures

Symptoms in children and adults depends upon the types of the condition; generalized seizure (local seizure) and partial seizure (focal seizure) being the primary ones. The former condition occurs due to the abnormal electrical activity that takes places throughout the entire brain. And, when a relatively small part of the brain is affected by the electrical discharge, it is known as a partial seizure.

Under generalized seizure, there are again some sub types, v.i.z, grand mal, absence, myoclonic, clonic, tonic and atonic. The grand mal seizure (also known as generalized tonic-clonic) is the most common type which people suffer from. Unconsciousness, convulsions and muscle rigidity are the common symptoms of this condition. There are other symptoms as well, which not all people suffer from. These include fatigue, aura, screaming, loss of bowel movement, confusion and severe headache.

Symptoms of absence seizures include brief loss of unconsciousness, which may occur several times a day. There are however, generally, no other symptoms.

Then comes what is known as the myoclonic seizure. A person affected by this type, exhibits sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body. These jerks, may also be interpreted by some patients, as short electrical shocks. In extreme cases, this kind of seizure may result in the person dropping or involuntarily throwing objects.

A seizure which is repetitive by nature is the clonic seizure. Here, the affected person suffers from rhythmic jerking movements which affect both sides of the body at the same time. Muscle stiffening is observed in a tonic seizure. The last type of generalized seizure, that is the atonic seizure may result in loss of muscle tone. This in turn, may result in fall, as the arms and legs are mainly affected.

Partial seizure is also divided into several sub types; simple, complex and secondary generalized seizure. Simple seizure involves simple motor seizure, simple sensory seizure and simple psychological seizure. A person who has been hit by a simple motor seizure, may undergo jerking, muscle rigidity, spasms and head-turning. With the sensory seizure, symptoms include sensations felt by the person which tend to affect his normal vision, hearing, smell taste or touch. And psychological seizure symptoms are disturbances related to memory or emotional well-being.

What differentiates simple partial seizures from complex partial seizures is that the later type involves loss of awareness. So, here the symptoms generally include lip smacking, chewing, restless moving, walking, etc. All these movements happen to be repetitive, involuntarily but coordinated.

Secondary generalized seizures mark the transition of a partial seizure into a grand mal seizure. So, here the symptoms will occur and may even change according to the types of the condition.

So this was a categorized description on the symptoms that characterize seizure. As these conditions are related to the brain, there must be no delay or hesitation in getting consulted by a doctor. Diagnosing the underlying causes, and treating then promptly, can not only help improve the condition but can also prevent any further complications.