What conditions cause grand mal seizures?

Usually, a grand mal seizure is caused by epilepsy. But sometimes, this type of seizure can be triggered by other health problems, such as extremely low blood sugar, a high fever or a stroke.

What is the difference between petit mal and grand mal seizures?

Generalized seizures occur when there is widespread seizure activity in the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The different types of generalized seizures are: absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal) tonic-clonic or convulsive seizures (formerly known as grand mal)

What is the difference between tonic and clonic seizures?

Tonic and clonic seizures affect the muscles. Tonic seizures cause a stiffening of muscles while clonic seizures are characterized by jerking or twitching.

What happens after a grand mal seizure?

After the seizure the patient may experience: Confusion. Feeling sleepy or drowsy for 1 hour or longer (post-ictal state) Loss of memory (amnesia) about the seizure episode.

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.

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.

Can tonic-clonic seizures go away?

When tonic-clonic seizures happen in childhood, some children will outgrow their epilepsy. Others who are seizure-free for a year or two while taking seizure medicine may be able to come off medicine slowly.

What is a mini seizure?

A partial (focal) seizure happens when unusual electrical activity affects a small area of the brain. When the seizure does not affect awareness, it is known as a simple partial seizure. Simple partial seizures can be: Motor – affecting the muscles of the body. Sensory – affecting the senses.

What are the first signs of a seizure?

What are the symptoms of a seizure?

• 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.

Can stress cause tonic-clonic seizures?

This can cause someone to hyperventilate — breath rapidly and deeply — which can increase abnormal brain activity and provoke seizures. Just like sleep, stress and epilepsy are a double-edged sword. Stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders can trigger seizures, but these are fairly common among people with epilepsy.

Can a grand mal seizure cause an absence seizure?

Children with epilepsy may experience both absence and grand mal seizures. Grand mal seizures last longer and have more intense symptoms. The signs of an absence seizure include: Adults often mistake children with absence seizures for misbehaving or being inattentive. A child’s teacher is often the first to notice absence seizure symptoms.

When do you outgrow an absence seizure?

Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens. An indication of simple absence seizure is a vacant stare, which may be mistaken for a lapse in attention that lasts about 10 seconds, though it may last as long as 20 seconds, without any confusion, headache or drowsiness afterward. Signs and symptoms of absence seizures include:

What kind of seizures make you lose consciousness?

Absence seizures, sometimes called petit mal seizures, can cause rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space. Tonic-clonic seizures, also called grand mal seizures, can make a person Cry out. Lose consciousness.

What happens when you nod your head during a seizure?

Nodding your head rhythmically, when associated with loss of awareness or loss of consciousness Periods of rapid eye blinking and staring During the seizure, your lips may become tinted blue and your breathing may not be normal. After the seizure, you may be sleepy or confused.