One of the problems that can occur after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is seizures. Although
most people who have a brain injury will never have a seizure
, it is good to understand what a seizure is and what to do if you have one. Most seizures happen in the first several days or weeks after a brain injury.
Do seizures have to do with the brain?
Most types of seizures do not cause damage to the brain
. However, having a prolonged, uncontrolled seizure can cause harm. Because of this, treat any seizure lasting over 5 minutes as a medical emergency.
Can you have a seizure with no brain activity?
Some people experience symptoms similar to those of an epileptic seizure but without any unusual electrical activity in the brain. When this happens it is known as a
non-epileptic seizure
(NES). NES is most often caused by mental stress or a physical condition.
What does a dissociative seizure look like?
Although dissociative seizures start as an emotional reaction, they cause a physical effect. Features of the seizure can include
palpitations
(being able to feel your heart beat), sweating, a dry mouth, and hyperventilation (over-breathing). Some features of dissociative seizures are very similar to epileptic seizures.
Can you have a seizure and be conscious?
In
focal aware seizures (FAS)
, previously called simple partial seizures, the person is conscious (aware and alert) and will usually know that something is happening and will remember the seizure afterwards. Some people find their focal aware seizures hard to put into words.
Is it OK to sleep after a seizure?
After the seizure:
they may feel tired and want to sleep
. It might be helpful to remind them where they are. stay with them until they recover and can safely return to what they had been doing before.
How long does it take to fully recover from a seizure?
The length of time it takes to recover after a tonic-clonic seizure is different from one person to the next. Some people feel better after an hour or 2, but for some people it
can take several days
to feel ‘back to normal’.
What are the 3 main phases of a seizure?
Seizures take on many different forms and have a
beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage
.
How can you tell the difference between a seizure and a Pseudoseizure?
Evidence-based answer. During an attack,
findings such as asynchronous or side-to-side movements, crying, and eye closure
suggest pseudoseizures
What does dissociation feel like?
If you dissociate, you
may feel disconnected from yourself and the world around you
. For example, you may feel detached from your body or feel as though the world around you is unreal. Remember, everyone’s experience of dissociation is different.
What does it feel like right before a seizure?
Some patients may have a feeling of having lived a certain experience in the past, known as “déjà vu.” Other warning signs preceding seizures include
daydreaming, jerking movements of an arm, leg, or body
, feeling fuzzy or confused, having periods of forgetfulness, feeling tingling or numbness in a part of the body, …
What is Jacksonian seizure?
A Jacksonian seizure is
a type of focal partial seizure
, also known as a simple partial seizure. This means the seizure is caused by unusual electrical activity that affects only a small area of the brain. The person maintains awareness during the seizure. Jacksonian seizures are also known as a Jacksonian march.
How can you tell if someone is faking a seizure?
- convulsions, or jerking motions.
- falling.
- stiffening of the body.
- loss of attention.
- staring.
Is it normal for someone to sleep a lot after a seizure?
It’s not unusual for me to sleep for
up to 3 days after a seizure
.
What should you do right after a seizure?
Hold the person down or try to stop their movements. Put something in the person’s mouth (this can cause tooth or jaw injuries)
Administer CPR or
other mouth-to-mouth breathing during the seizure. Give the person food or water until they are alert again.
Can you fight off a seizure?
Seizures can be unsettling, but many people find that they’re able to control or stop them with medicine. Surgery,devices that stimulate nerves or detect seizures then stop them, and even diet changes are other ways to deal with them. Your
doctor
can work with you to find a treatment that helps.
