Seizure Vs. Convulsion

People who experience a seizure or convulsion sometimes need medical care.

People often use the words "seizure" and "convulsion" as synonyms, but they don't mean exactly the same thing. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes a seizure and the symptoms of a seizure vary. Seizures can trigger convulsions, or uncontrollable shaking of the body.

Symptoms

Seizures happen without much warning. Symptoms differ from one person to another, depending on what part of the brain the seizure affects. Examples of symptoms include a sudden upswing or decline in emotions, changes in vision and loss of muscle control.

Causes

Many medical conditions cause seizures. Some are temporary. Infants, for instance, sometimes experience seizures and convulsions when they have a high fever. Other causes of seizure are more serious, such as a brain tumor, dementia and kidney failure. Seizures and convulsions also may be caused by an inherited medical condition called epilepsy. Medication usually controls epilepsy.

Response

You might need to seek medical help for someone whose seizure or convulsion lasts for more than a few minutes. Typically, the condition lasts for a period ranging from about 30 seconds to two minutes. Find medical attention immediately if someone experiences a series of seizures while remaining unconscious.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Convulsions - Overview
• U.S. National Library of Medicine: Seizures
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Seizures - Overview