Seizure Causes and Treatment
An estimated one out of 10 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives, so this is a common condition. Fortunately, seizures don’t normally require a trip to the emergency room, although you need to notify your primary care provider. However, if it’s accompanied by certain symptoms or you’re in a high-risk group, you need to call 911 or visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care.
Seizure Symptoms That Indicate an Emergency
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if:
- This is your first seizure.
- You have trouble breathing.
- It occurred while you were in the water.
- The symptoms last longer than five minutes.
- Another seizure starts at the end of the first one.
- You are injured.
- You have a pre-existing health condition, such as heart disease
- You are pregnant.
- You don’t wake up.
Focal Vs. Generalized Seizures
There are two categories of seizures: focal and generalized. Then, there are subsets of seizures under those categories. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain simultaneously, while focal seizures start in one area of the brain.
Generalized Seizure Symptoms
Many people suffer from generalized seizures. First, you can have a grand mal seizure. The symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Jerking muscles
- Crying out when the seizure starts
- Incontinence
- Convulsions
- Headache
- Fatigue
You might not notice if someone has an absence seizure in your presence. Instead of jerking and convulsing, the person might look off into space or blink rapidly for several seconds.
Focal Seizure Symptoms
You can also experience focal seizures. These are categorized as:
- Simple
- Complex
- Secondary generalized
If you have a simple focal seizure, you’ll experience twitching. Also, many people report strange tastes and smell during the onset.
Complex focal seizures are common for those who have epilepsy. The seizures typically last for up to two minutes and include symptoms like lip-smacking, finger rubbing, chewing, and eyelid flutters. Some people also scream, cry out, and laugh during these seizures.
Secondary generalized seizures start in one part of the brain. However, it then spreads. Because of that, you can experience symptoms associated with focal and generalized seizures.
Seizures are frightening but aren’t typically emergencies. However, if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care immediately. If you are undergoing an active seizure, we can administer anti-seizure medications. In addition, we can diagnose the reason behind it and create a treatment plan for you.
