Generalized Seizures
A generalized seizure is
characterized by the involvement of the whole brain. The excessive
electrical discharge is widespread and involves both sides of the brain.
The seizure may or may not be convulsive. A generalized seizure is
further classified as either: absence,
tonic-clonic, myoclonic
and atonic.
Absence
These seizures most often begin in childhood. In many children
with absence seizures, the seizures stop during adolescence. This type
of seizure results in a blank stare usually lasting less than 10
seconds. The seizure starts and ends abruptly, and awareness is impaired
during the seizure. A person may suddenly stop talking without realizing
that anything has occurred. Following the seizure, alertness is regained
quickly.
These seizures are sometimes misinterpreted as daydreaming or
inattentiveness. Rapid blinking may accompany the seizure and the eyes
may roll upwards. An individual may experience as many as several
hundred absence seizures in a day. Although absence seizures are often
outgrown, some individuals with absence seizures may develop tonic-clonic
seizures. Absence seizures tend to run in families.
No immediate first aid is necessary but it is important to mention it to
the appropriate parties (e.g. parents) to ensure they are aware the
seizure has occurred.
Tonic-Clonic
Formerly known as grand mal seizures, tonic clonic seizures have
two distinct phases. The tonic phase typically involves a crying out or
groan, a loss of awareness and a fall as consciousness is lost and
muscles stiffen. The second phase, the clonic phase, typically involves
a convulsion. There is typically jerking and twitching of the muscles in
all four limbs and movements usually involve the entire body.
Urinary or bowel control may be lost and there may be shallow breathing,
a bluish or gray skin color, and drooling. The seizure usually lasts
from 1-3 minutes and awareness is regained slowly. A post-ictal state
often follows a tonic clonic seizure. This may involve fatigue and
confusion and the person may experience a severe headache. Often the
person will want to sleep.
These seizures may be primary generalized (meaning that the
seizure begins on both sides of the brain simultaneously) or they may
follow a brief partial seizures (known as secondarily generalized).
Although tonic clonic seizures are most often associated with epilepsy,
it is not the most common type of seizure. In adults, partial seizures
are the most common type experienced.
If you witness a tonic clonic seizure, it is important to keep calm and
let the seizure run its course. Ease the person onto the floor and
loosen clothing. Remove objects in the immediate area that may harm or
injure the person. Turn the person on their side so that saliva can flow
from the mouth. Check for medic alert identification. When the person
regains consciousness and the seizure ends, help them become reoriented.
If a seizure last more than 6-10 minutes, or if they occur repeatedly,
call an ambulance.
Myoclonic
A myoclonic seizure results in a sudden jerk of part of the body
such as the arm or leg. The person may fall over. The seizures is very
brief. People who do not have epilepsy sometimes experience a sudden
jerk of the body when they are falling asleep. This is common and is
known as benign nocturnal myoclonus. It is not an epilepsy-related
seizure. Please obtain help should an individual injure him/herself
during a myoclonic seizure.
Atonic
An atonic seizure is sometimes called a "drop attack". The
seizure involves a sudden loss of muscle tone. This can result in the
person falling down or almost falling down, dropping objects, or nodding
the head involuntarily. Typically these seizures last for a few seconds.
There tends to be no warning so the seizures can be dangerous because of
injury. Please obtain help should the individual fall and injure
him/herself.