SEIZURES

Seizures: Types, Causes, and Diagnosis

Understanding Seizures

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures affect movement, awareness, behavior, emotions, or sensation. Some people experience a single seizure due to illness or injury. Others have repeated seizures linked to epilepsy or other neurological disorders.

Common seizure symptoms include:

• Loss or change of awareness

• Muscle jerking or stiffness

• Staring spells

• Confusion after an episode

• Sudden sensory or emotional changes

Repeated seizures need a proper medical evaluation.

Types of Seizures

Seizures are classified based on how and where they begin in the brain.

1. Focal Seizures (Partial Seizures)

These start in one area of the brain.

Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures)

Symptoms include:

Tingling or numbness
Flashing lights or visual changes
Sudden fear or déjà vu
Jerking in one part of the body
Changes in taste or smell

Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures)

Symptoms include:

Confusion or inability to respond
Blank staring
Repetitive actions such as lip-smacking or hand rubbing
Wandering or picking movements
Memory loss after the episode

2. Generalized Seizures

These involve both sides of the brain and often cause loss of consciousness.

Absence Seizures (formerly " petit mal seizures")

Brief lapses in awareness (staring episodes).
Fluttering eyelids or repetitive movements.
Most common in children.

Tonic Seizures

Sudden muscle stiffening
Often leads to falls

Clonic Seizures

Repeated rhythmic jerking movements
Usually affects arms and legs

Tonic-Clonic Seizures (Grand mal seizures)

Muscle stiffening followed by jerking
Loss of consciousness
Possible tongue biting or bladder loss
Confusion and fatigue after the seizure

Atonic Seizures

Sudden loss of muscle tone
High risk of injury from falls

Myoclonic Seizures

Short, sudden muscle jerks
Often happens after waking

Causes & Triggers of Seizures

Seizures can have various causes, including

Epilepsy
Stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain.
Brain tumors or structural brain changes.
Head injury or trauma.
Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Genetic conditions.
Metabolic problems such as low blood sugar or electrolyte imbalance.

Identifying seizure triggers can help manage the condition. Common triggers include:

Lack of sleep
Missed seizure medication
Stress
Flashing or flickering lights
Alcohol or drug withdrawal

Tracking triggers supports better seizure control.

Diagnosis and Care at Mir Neurology

Early diagnosis improves safety and long-term outcomes. At Mir Neurology, care focuses on accurate seizure diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.

Diagnostic services include:

Complete neurological examination.
EEG testing to record brain electrical activity.
MRI or CT scans to identify brain structure changes.
Blood tests to detect metabolic or genetic causes.

Treatment plans depend on seizure type, cause, age, and daily needs. When to Seek Medical Care. Contact a neurologist if seizures are:

Repeated
Increasing in frequency
Last longer than five minutes
Linked to head injury
Followed by prolonged confusion or injury

Get Expert Help

Healthcare professional providing expert consultation and treatment for neurological and neuromuscular disorders.

If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline, early diagnosis is key to effective management. Consult with our neurology specialists for personalized assessment and care plans.

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Our Locations

Main Office - Cumberland, United States

Our main office is located in Cumberland, United States. Our doctors have office hours at additional locations in the Hagerstown area to better serve our patients.

924 Seton Dr Suite C, Cumberland, MD 21502, United States.

(301) -797-7600