Symptoms and Prevention Of Seizures

The human brain works on electrical impulses which at times cause sudden and unexpected
changes in an individuals physical or behavioral pattern. These sudden changes are clinically
termed, seizures.
These changes can be triggered or precipitated by either injury and/or other physiological factors.
They could also be a result of abnormalities of sodium or glucose levels in the blood stream; a
fallout of brain infections such as meningitis. Seizures can also occur due to epilepsy; tumors of
the brain; congenital brain defects amongst other factors.
There exists a distinct possibility that seizures are a consequence of excessive usage of drugs,
alcohol withdrawal post excessive drinking, benzodiazepines withdrawal and/or
painkillers/sleeping pills. In certain cases, it is may not be readily possible to ascertain the
immediate cause for the seizures. Such instances are termed as, termed idiopathic seizures,
common amongst children and teenagers.
Seizures are often accompanied by prominent physical symptoms but at times seizures can occur
without any palpable symptoms. In some cases, patients do experience pre-seizure symptoms.
These include a sudden feeling of anxiety or fear; a bound of nausea, vertigo or dizziness. One of
the common pre-seizure sign is blurring of vision
Following the pre-seizure symptoms, the onset of seizure is evidenced by - blackout and confusion;
teeth clenching; muscle spasms; frothing at the mouth; rapid eye movements; loss of bladder and
bowel control; and excessive grunting.
Seizures can be typically two types one which are caused by epilepsy and the others which are
non-epileptic ones. Non-epileptic seizures can be due to an injury or trauma. A sudden injury or
blow to the head can cause a person to slip into a seizure. Once the underlying factors are treated
such seizures usually go away.
Epilepsy is meanwhile defined as a condition caused by repeated seizures. Seizures that are caused
only one side of the brain, effecting only one part of the body, are termed as partial seizures. And
the condition is also known as temporal lobe seizures.
When epileptic seizures are caused by both sides of the brain they are known as generalized
seizures. Affecting both sides of the body these are also known as grand mal or tonic-clonic
seizures.
The onset of seizures requires immediate medical attention as non-intervention causes the seizures
to worsen in terms of symptoms and duration with every subsequent attack. Prolonged seizures
can possibly lead to coma and even fatality.

Although, no specific factors can help prevention of seizures resulting from injury, one can always
look to maintain a healthy lifestyle, proper sleep and rest cycle and regular exercise to keep
seizures away.