Neurology

If a seizure lasts too long, it can be dangerous and may lead to brain damage or other health problems.

Focal seizures cause symptoms in one part of the body or one area of the brain and can include muscle twitching, unusual sensations, or changes in awareness.

A tonic clonic seizure typically has three stages: the tonic phase (stiffening), the clonic phase (jerking), and the postictal phase (recovery).

Clonic seizures cause rhythmic, jerking muscle movements—usually in the arms, legs, or face—and may include loss of awareness or consciousness.

The three basic principles of seizure first aid, called the "3 Ss," are Stay calm, Stay safe, and Stay with the person until help arrives.

Treatment for repeated seizures in adults includes medications like antiepileptic drugs and benzodiazepines. It's important to work with a healthcare provider to find the best option.

Seizure disorders are usually treated with anti-seizure medications, but options may also include lifestyle changes, surgery, nerve stimulation, or dietary therapy depending on the type and severity.

Some people experience warning signs—called auras—before a seizure, which can include odd sensations, emotions, or physical symptoms.

After a first seizure, doctors often recommend blood tests to check for infections, metabolic imbalances, and other possible causes.

Seizures after waking up can be caused by changes in sleep patterns, like sleep deprivation, and are often linked to specific types of epilepsy.

Seizures upon waking up can be linked to changes in brain activity during sleep and waking, and certain types of epilepsy are more common during these times.

Seizures that occur when falling asleep can be linked to changes in brain activity during this time, which may trigger seizures in people with certain types of epilepsy.

Some medical conditions can mimic seizures but are not true seizures, including fainting, migraines, sleep disorders, and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES).

Involuntary body twitches can be caused by certain medications, stress, or a lack of vitamin B12. Sometimes, correcting a vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to these movements.

Having a stomach ache and headache together could be due to a condition called abdominal migraine, which is more common in children.

Asymmetric swallowing can be caused by a stroke affecting the brain areas controlling swallowing muscles. It's important to get medical help to assess the problem and possibly start therapy to improve swallowing function.

Pseudo seizures (also called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or PNES) resemble epileptic seizures in appearance but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

A fever after a seizure can occur, but it is not very common. It may be related to the type of seizure or other factors.

A low body temperature after a seizure may be linked to how the body controls temperature during and after seizures, but more research is needed to fully understand this connection.

A seizure can feel different depending on the type, ranging from unusual sensations or confusion to loss of awareness or control over the body.