About Us | Privacy | Site Map
February 8, 2012
Font Size
A
A
A
1
2
3
...
Next»

Seizures Emergencies

Medical Author:
J Stephen Huff, MD
Coauthor:
Mary Huff, RN
Medical Editor:
Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Thomas Rebbecchi, MD, FAAEM

Seizures Emergencies Overview

Everyone has the potential to have seizures. Some people have them frequently. Seizure disorders vary tremendously. Some people have only an occasional seizure, and other people have daily or more frequent seizures.

  • There are many different types of seizures. Seizure activity may range from simple blank staring to loss of consciousness with spasticity or muscle jerking.

  • Generally, a seizure should be considered an emergency in these situations:

    • Seizures that do not stop within a few minutes.

    • Prolonged confusion remains after the seizure (more than 10-15 minutes).

    • The person is not responsive after a seizure.

    • The person has trouble breathing.

    • The person is injured during the seizure.

    • The seizure is a first-time seizure.

    • There is a significant change in the type or character of the seizure from that person's usual seizure pattern.

Next Page:
Seizures Emergencies Causes»
1
2
3
...
Next»

Privacy Policy

Epilepsy

Find tips and treatments to control seizures.



Seizures Emergencies

Seizure »

Seizure Overview

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain triggers seizure activity. A person may have a seizure disorder (epilepsy) and require medications. Other factors such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is a diabetic reaction, may cause seizures. Meningitis or a head injury may also cause a seizure.

Fainting can also cause a series of jerking movements as the person loses consciousness. These movements do not necessarily indicate a seizure.

Seizure Symptoms

  • Symptoms range from jerking movements in a single extremity to abnormal movements throughout the entire body.
  • Some seizures may cause lip smacking, behaviorisms, staring spells, or other symptoms depending on in which area of the brain the seizure cause originates.
  • Seizures may affect bladder and bowel control, and a person experiencing a seizure often bites his or her own tongue.

Seizure Tr...

Read the Seizure article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Seizures in the Emergency Department »

Seizures are a common cause of visits to the emergency department (ED). One estimate states that approximately 1% of patients coming to the ED do so because of seizures (Krumholz et al, 1989)

Read More on Medscape Reference »

Featured Topics

Topics Related to Seizures Emergencies

Brain and Nervous System Topics

Medical Dictionary


or A-Z List
Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick,
    easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including
    24 hour
    pharmacies