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Seizures Emergencies (cont.)

Seizures Emergencies Symptoms

  • Common generalized seizures often begin when the person cries out or makes some sound. This may be followed by several seconds of abnormal stiffening, progressing to abnormal rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs.

    • The eyes are generally open, but the person is not responsive or alert.

    • The person may not appear to be breathing. They are, however, actually usually breathing adequately for the brief duration of the seizure. The person often breathes deeply for a while after an episode.

    • He or she will return to consciousness gradually over several minutes.

    • Incontinence, or loss of urine, is common.

    • Often people will be combative briefly after a generalized seizure (a seizure that involves the entire brain).

  • Many other seizure types exist, including isolated abnormal movements of a single limb, staring spells, or abnormal stiffening without the rhythmic jerking.



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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)

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