Do tonic seizures cause brain damage?
Most types of seizures do not cause damage to the brain. However, having a prolonged, uncontrolled seizure can cause harm. Because of this, treat any seizure lasting over 5 minutes as a medical emergency.
What happens in the brain during a tonic-clonic seizure?
A tonic-clonic seizure usually begins on both sides of the brain, but can start in one side and spread to the whole brain. A person loses consciousness, muscles stiffen, and jerking movements are seen. These types of seizures usually last 1 to 3 minutes and take longer for a person to recover.
Can tonic Clonics have focal seizures?
A seizure that starts in one area of the brain, then spreads to both sides of the brain as a tonic-clonic seizure is called a focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. This term replaces secondarily generalized seizure. They usually last 1 to 3 minutes, but it may take a longer for a person to recover.
What seizures do to the brain?
A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells (also called neurons or nerve cells) that causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements (stiffness, twitching or limpness), behaviors, sensations or states of awareness.
What are the signs of a tonic seizure?
Tonic-clonic seizures
- tonic stage – you lose consciousness, your body goes stiff, and you may fall to the floor.
- clonic stage – your limbs jerk about, you may lose control of your bladder or bowel, you may bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek, and you might have difficulty breathing.
Can a tonic clonic seizure happen on both sides of the brain?
Tonic and clonic seizures can start on one side of the brain (partial or focal seizures), or on both sides of the brain simultaneously (generalized). Tonic and clonic seizure activity can happen in the same seizure. A tonic-clonic seizure is the modern term for a grand mal seizure.
What happens to muscle tone during an atonic seizure?
Atonic seizures cause a person’s muscles to suddenly become flaccid. Atonic seizures can be categorized as focal seizures (starting in one part of the brain) and cause muscle tone loss in only one part of the body. This is referred to as a focal motor atonic seizure .
Which is the best medication for atonic seizures?
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is most often used as the first drug treatment. Valproic acid (Depakene) is another option. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant as it can increase the risk of birth defects. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has fewer side effects than the other two medications but may also be less helpful.
What causes a child to have an atonic seizure?
The cause of atonic seizures is often unknown. Some patients may be more likely to have seizures because of changes in their genes. Atonic seizures most often affect children but can occur in patients of any age. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) and flickering lights can trigger seizures. Diagnosis
