How to Understand the Causes of Seizures

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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Consider that seizures have many possible causes, and don't always indicate epilepsy. They can be genetic, or occur for no reason.

2. 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.

3. 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."

4. Know that a seizure can occur as a symptom of central nervous system infections, like meningitis and encephalitis.

5. Consider that brain tumors, brain cancer and stroke can all cause seizures.

6. Consider that eclampsia, a disease that occurs during pregnancy, can cause seizures.

7. Understand that seizures can be caused by tetanus.

8. Expect a seizure during drug withdrawal or drug overdose. Crack cocaine is a common seizure-causing drug.

9. Watch for seizure activity anytime the brain is deprived of oxygen, like after a drowning or choking.

10. 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.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

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.