How to Understand the Causes of Seizures

By eHow Health Editor

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A seizure is a series of uncontrollable muscular contractions that may affect the whole body, or part of it. A seizure is often followed by memory loss; brain damage can occur if a seizure is prolonged or severe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate
Step1
Consider that seizures have many possible causes, and don't always indicate epilepsy. They can be genetic, or occur for no reason.
Step2
Realize that a seizure can be caused by a head injury. A sudden, forceful impact to brain tissue can result in electrical disturbances that lead to seizure.
Step3
Watch for seizures in a feverish child. Increased temperature creates electrical disturbances in the brain. This condition can also be called "infantile spasm" or "febrile seizure."
Step4
Know that a seizure can occur as a symptom of central nervous system infections, like meningitis and encephalitis.
Step5
Consider that brain tumors, brain cancer and stroke can all cause seizures.
Step6
Consider that eclampsia, a disease that occurs during pregnancy, can cause seizures.
Step7
Understand that seizures can be caused by tetanus.
Step8
Expect a seizure during drug withdrawal or drug overdose. Crack cocaine is a common seizure-causing drug.
Step9
Watch for seizure activity anytime the brain is deprived of oxygen, like after a drowning or choking.
Step10
Know that seizure activity is common in infants who experience trauma while being born.

Tips & Warnings

  • Seizures are classified as "partial" (beginning locally, in one group of muscles) or "generalized" (occurring with bilateral symmetry). Most times, partial seizures do not involve complete loss of consciousness.

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 Seizures can also be caused by insulin reaction, too much circulating insulin in the body if too much is injected by a type 1 diabetic.

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eHow Article: How to Understand the Causes of Seizures

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Category: Health

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