Conditions We Treat
Seizure
Overview
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. Depending on where it starts and how far it spreads, a seizure can cause changes in movement, behavior, feelings, or awareness. Most last between 30 seconds and two minutes; a seizure lasting more than five minutes is a medical emergency.
Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy. A single seizure can be triggered by a high fever, an infection, low blood sugar, or a head injury. Epilepsy is diagnosed when a person tends to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures, generally two or more at least 24 hours apart.
The good news is that most seizure disorders can be well controlled. Identifying the type of seizure and its cause is the first step toward the right treatment.
Symptoms
Signs of a seizure
Seizure symptoms vary widely depending on the type. They may include:
- A staring spell or brief lapse in awareness
- Temporary confusion
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Uncontrollable jerking of the arms and legs
- Sudden fear, anxiety, or a feeling of déjà vu
Types
Types of seizures
Seizures are grouped by where in the brain they begin:
- Focal seizures start in one area of the brain.
- Generalized seizures involve both sides of the brain.
- Unknown-onset seizures, when the starting point is unclear.
One person can experience more than one type of seizure.
Causes & risk factors
What can cause a seizure
Seizures happen when the brain's normal electrical signaling is disrupted. Causes and triggers include:
- Epilepsy, a tendency toward recurrent, unprovoked seizures
- Stroke or a brain tumor
- Head injury or a brain infection such as meningitis
- High fever, low blood sugar, or alcohol or drug withdrawal
- Certain genetic conditions and sleep deprivation
For about 2 in 3 people with epilepsy, no specific cause is found.
Diagnosis
How seizures are evaluated
Pinpointing the seizure type and cause guides treatment. Evaluation may include:
- A detailed account of the events and a neurological exam
- EEG to record the brain's electrical activity, performed on-site
- Prolonged or ambulatory EEG monitoring when needed
- MRI or CT imaging to look for a structural cause
- Blood tests to check for triggers such as low blood sugar
Treatment
How seizures are treated
Most seizures can be well controlled. Common approaches include:
- Anti-seizure medication, effective for about 2 in 3 people
- Identifying and avoiding triggers such as sleep loss
- Surgery to remove a focal seizure area when medication is not enough
- Vagus nerve stimulation or a ketogenic diet in select cases
Our Approach
How we help
Our board-certified providers work to identify the type and cause of your seizures and to build a treatment plan that fits your life. Evaluation often begins with an EEG, performed on-site, so much of your workup can happen in one place. Most seizures can be well controlled, and many people go on to live full, active lives.
On-Site Testing
Testing that may help with diagnosis
Good to Know
Seizure: Frequently Asked Questions
Are seizures and epilepsy the same thing?
They are related but not identical. A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in part or all of the brain. Epilepsy is a brain disorder defined by a tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures. A single provoked seizure, such as one caused by a high fever, head trauma, or a medication reaction, does not mean you have epilepsy.
If I have a seizure, does that mean I have epilepsy?
Not always. Seizures can be triggered by other issues such as a high fever, low blood sugar, or alcohol or drug withdrawal. Epilepsy is diagnosed when a person has a tendency toward recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
What are the different types of seizures?
Seizures fall into two broad groups. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain, while focal (also called partial) seizures affect just one area. A person with epilepsy can have more than one type of seizure.
What causes epilepsy?
Epilepsy can result from a stroke, a brain tumor, a brain infection, a traumatic head injury, loss of oxygen to the brain, or certain genetic conditions. For about 2 in 3 people, the underlying cause is unknown.
How are seizures and epilepsy treated?
The most common treatment is anti-seizure medication, which controls seizures for roughly 2 in 3 people. When medication is not enough, options include surgery to remove a focal seizure area, vagus nerve stimulation, or a ketogenic diet.
When should I see a neurologist about seizures?
See a neurologist if you have had a seizure, if seizures are becoming more frequent or harder to control, or if you have spells of confusion or altered awareness that have not been explained. Any seizure lasting more than five minutes is a medical emergency, so call 911.
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