Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem, caused by sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Not always convulsions
Many people picture convulsions, with the body shaking rapidly and uncontrollably — but not all seizures cause them. There are many types, and some have mild symptoms.
| Type | Where it starts |
|---|---|
| Focal (partial) seizures | in one part of the brain |
| Generalized seizures | on both sides of the brain |
How long, and when to worry
Most seizures last 30 seconds to 2 minutes and cause no lasting harm. It is a medical emergency if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if a person has many seizures without waking between them.
Causes
Seizures have many causes, including medicines, high fevers, head injuries and certain diseases. People with recurring seizures from a brain disorder have epilepsy.
Sources
Based on "Seizures," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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