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Seizures
Summary
Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They happen because of sudden, abnormal
electrical activity in the brain. When people think of seizures, they often think of convulsions in which a person’s body
shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. Not all seizures cause convulsions. There are many types
of seizures and some have mild symptoms. Seizures fall into two main groups. Focal
seizures, also called partial seizures, happen in just one part of the brain. Generalized
seizures are a result of abnormal activity on both sides of the brain.
Most seizures last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and do not cause lasting harm. However,
it is a medical emergency if seizures last longer than 5 minutes or if a person has many
seizures and does not wake up between them. Seizures can have many causes, including
medicines, high fevers, head injuries and certain diseases. People who have recurring
seizures due to a brain disorder have epilepsy.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Genetics
- 15q13.3 microdeletion: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Ataxia neuropathy spectrum: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Benign familial neonatal seizures: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Childhood absence epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Familial focal epilepsy with variable foci: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Molybdenum cofactor deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Myoclonic epilepsy myopathy sensory ataxia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Patient Handouts
- Absence seizure Medical Encyclopedia
- Bilateral tonic-clonic seizure Medical Encyclopedia
- EEG Medical Encyclopedia
- Epilepsy or seizures – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Febrile seizures Medical Encyclopedia
- Partial (focal) seizure Medical Encyclopedia
- Seizures Medical Encyclopedia
Specifics
- Absence Seizure (Petit Mal Seizure) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Frontal Lobe Seizures Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Temporal Lobe Seizure Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Todd’s Paralysis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizure Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Seizures National Institutes of Health
Diagnosis and Tests
- Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Radiological Society of North America
- EEG (Electroencephalogram) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Treatments and Therapies
- Convulsions – first aid – series — Procedure, part 1 Medical Encyclopedia
- Seizure First Aid Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Encyclopedia
- CPK isoenzymes test Medical Encyclopedia
- Febrile seizures – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
Start Here
- Epilepsy and Seizures National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Children
- Febrile Seizures National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- First Aid: Seizures Nemours Foundation
- Focal Aware Seizures (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Infantile Spasms National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Ohtahara Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Find an Expert
- Find a Doctor American Epilepsy Society
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
- How Do Seizures Affect the Brain?
- How to Help Someone Who Is Having a Seizure
- One Family’s Journey to Find Epilepsy Answers
- Understanding Different Kinds of Seizures