Seizures take on many different forms and have a
beginning (prodrome and aura), middle (ictal) and end (post-ictal) stage
.
What are the phases of a seizure?
In addition to these categorizations, there are four distinct phases of seizures:
prodromal, early ictal (the “aura”), ictal, and post-ictal.
What happens 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 are the after effects of a seizure?
You may keep having some symptoms even after the seizure activity in your brain has stopped. This is because some symptoms are after-effects of a seizure, like
sleepiness, confusion, certain movements or being unable to move, and difficulty talking or thinking normally
.
What are the stages of a tonic-clonic seizure?
A tonic-clonic seizure, previously known as a “grand mal”, is what most people think of as a typical epileptic fit. They happen in 2 stages –
an initial “tonic” stage, shortly followed by a second “clonic” stage
: tonic stage – you lose consciousness, your body goes stiff, and you may fall to the floor.
Can u feel a seizure coming on?
Some people may experience feelings, sensations, or changes in behavior hours or days before a seizure. These feelings are generally not part of the seizure, but may
warn a person that a seizure may come
.
What are signs of a seizure coming on?
- Staring.
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Stiffening of the body.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.
What are the 3 types of seizures?
- absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal)
- tonic-clonic or convulsive seizures (formerly known as grand mal)
- atonic seizures (also known as drop attacks)
- clonic seizures.
- tonic seizures.
- myoclonic seizures.
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.
What should you eat after a seizure?
Although it’s not understood why, low blood glucose levels control seizures in some people. Foods on this diet include
meat, cheese, and most high-fiber vegetables
. This diet attempts to reproduce the positive effects of the ketogenic diet, although it allows a more generous intake of carbohydrates.
What is the recovery time after a seizure?
As the seizure ends,
the postictal phase occurs
– this is the recovery period after the seizure. Some people recover immediately while others may take minutes to hours to feel like their usual self.
What should a person do after a seizure?
loosen any tight clothing around their neck, such as a collar or tie
, to aid breathing. turn them on to their side after their convulsions stop – read more about the recovery position. stay with them and talk to them calmly until they recover. note the time the seizure starts and finishes.
Can you fight off a seizure?
In cases where the aura is a smell, some people are able to fight off seizures by
sniffing a strong odor
, such as garlic or roses. When the preliminary signs include depression, irritability, or headache, an extra dose of medication (with a doctor’s approval) may help prevent an attack.
What are the symptoms of tonic-clonic seizure?
- a strange feeling or sensation, which is called an aura.
- screaming or crying out involuntarily.
- losing control of your bladder and bowels either during or after the seizure.
- a severe headache after the seizure.
- passing out and waking up feeling confused or sleepy.
What to do if you feel a seizure coming on?
Give the person room, clear hard or sharp objects, and cushion the head
. Don’t try to hold the person down, stop movements, or put anything in the person’s mouth. For milder seizures, like ones involving staring or shaking arms or legs, guide the person away from hazards—sharp objects, traffic, stairs.
What happens during tonic-clonic seizure?
When the tonic-clonic seizure begins,
the person loses consciousness and may fall
. Strong tonic spasms of the muscles can force air out of the lungs, resulting in a cry or moan, even though the person is not aware of their surroundings. There may be saliva or foam coming from the mouth.
