A seizure is a temporary, uncontrolled disturbance in the brain’s electrical activity, leading to changes in a person’s movement, behavior, feelings, or level of consciousness. Recognizing how seizures manifest is important for knowing how to respond.
Visible Signs of Common Seizure Types
One of the most recognizable forms of seizure is the tonic-clonic seizure, formerly known as a grand mal seizure, which involves the entire brain. During the tonic phase, the person’s muscles will stiffen suddenly, often causing them to fall to the ground. This rigidity typically lasts for about 10 to 20 seconds, and breathing may become difficult or even stop momentarily.
Following this, the clonic phase begins, characterized by rhythmic jerking movements of the arms and legs. These jerking motions are usually bilateral and can continue for several minutes, often accompanied by frothing at the mouth or loss of bladder control.
Another common visible sign occurs in some focal seizures, which originate in one part of the brain. These might involve automatisms, which are repetitive, non-purposeful behaviors such as lip-smacking, chewing, fidgeting with clothes, or mumbling. The person may appear dazed or confused during these actions and be unaware of their surroundings.
Other focal seizures can present as localized muscle twitching or stiffening in a specific limb or one side of the face. The individual may remain conscious and aware during these localized motor events, experiencing a sensation of tingling or weakness in the affected area.
Subtle and Non-Motor Seizure Manifestations
Not all seizures involve dramatic physical convulsions; some manifest through more subtle or non-motor signs that can be easily overlooked. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, are characterized by brief staring spells, often lasting only 5 to 10 seconds.
During this time, the person may appear to be daydreaming, with a blank stare, and may not respond to spoken words or other stimuli. They typically resume their activity immediately afterward with no memory of the event.
Focal aware seizures, formerly called simple partial seizures, can produce sensory disturbances without any loss of consciousness. A person might report experiencing strange smells, tastes, or tingling sensations, or they may see flashing lights or feel a sudden sense of déjà vu. These internal experiences are not outwardly visible but can be reported by the individual if they are able to communicate during or immediately after the event. Other subtle indicators might include sudden, unexplained confusion, difficulty speaking clearly, or an abrupt change in mood or emotional state, such as unexpected fear or joy.
Immediate Aftermath: Post-Seizure Indicators
The period immediately following a seizure, known as the post-ictal phase, provides important clues that a seizure has occurred. After a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, individuals often experience a period of confusion and disorientation.
They may not know where they are, what day it is, or what just happened, and this confusion can last from several minutes to hours. Extreme tiredness or drowsiness is also common, leading the person to desire sleep.
A severe headache is a frequently reported symptom in the post-ictal phase, sometimes accompanied by nausea. In some cases, a temporary weakness or paralysis of a limb or one side of the body, known as Todd’s paralysis, can occur, which typically resolves within minutes to hours. Memory loss regarding the seizure event itself, and sometimes a period immediately before or after, is also a common post-seizure indicator.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention
Knowing when to seek urgent medical attention after observing signs of a seizure is important. Call emergency services immediately if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, as prolonged seizures can be dangerous.
Emergency assistance is also warranted if the person has repeated seizures without regaining full consciousness between episodes. If the individual sustained a significant injury during the seizure, such as a head injury or difficulty breathing, professional medical help should be sought without delay.
It is also important to call for emergency medical attention if this is the person’s first seizure, as it requires immediate medical evaluation to determine the cause. A seizure occurring in water, such as while swimming or bathing, also presents a serious risk and necessitates urgent intervention. Furthermore, if the person has a known medical condition like diabetes or is pregnant, and experiences a seizure, emergency services should be contacted due to potential complications.