Seizures: Types, Symptoms, Causes & What to Do
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that briefly affects movement, behavior, awareness, or sensation.
Our neurologists evaluate seizure symptoms and use EEG testing to identify the cause.
Witnessing one β or having one β is frightening, but knowing the signs and how to respond makes a real difference. This guide explains the types of seizures, their symptoms and causes, and the first-aid steps that keep someone safe. At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists evaluate and treat seizures for patients across Western Maryland, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania.
Request an Appointment or call (301) 797-7600.
Call 911 if: a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, one seizure follows another without recovery, the person does not wake up, has trouble breathing, is injured, is pregnant or diabetic, or it is their first-ever seizure.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure happens when the brain's nerve cells fire in an abnormal, synchronized burst. Depending on where in the brain it starts and how far it spreads, a seizure can cause anything from a brief staring spell to full-body convulsions.
A single seizure is not the same as epilepsy β anyone can have a seizure under certain conditions, such as high fever, low blood sugar, head injury, or alcohol withdrawal. When seizures recur without a temporary cause, that may be epilepsy. See our Epilepsy page.
What Does a Seizure Look Like?
Seizures do not always involve dramatic shaking. Signs include:
- Convulsions β stiffening and rhythmic jerking
- Staring spells with a brief loss of awareness
- Sudden confusion or a blank episode
- Unusual sensations, smells, or rising feelings in the stomach
- Repetitive movements like lip-smacking, chewing, or fumbling
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Sudden loss of muscle tone and falling
Types of Seizures
Seizures are grouped by where they begin in the brain.
Focal Aware Seizures
The person stays conscious but may have unusual sensations or movements.
Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures
Consciousness is affected, often with confusion or automatic movements.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Formerly called grand mal seizures; stiffening then jerking, with loss of consciousness.
Absence Seizures
Formerly called petit mal seizures; brief staring spells, common in children.
Atonic Seizures
Sudden loss of muscle tone, also called drop attacks.
Myoclonic Seizures
Quick, shock-like muscle jerks.
What Causes Seizures?
Seizures can be triggered by many factors, including:
- High fever, including febrile seizures in young children
- Head injury
- Stroke, a leading cause in older adults
- Brain infections, tumors, or structural changes
- Low blood sugar, low sodium, or other metabolic problems
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal
- Lack of sleep and certain medications
- Epilepsy, which means recurrent, unprovoked seizures
What to Do When Someone Is Having a Seizure
Seizure first aid keeps the person safe:
- Stay calm and stay with them. Time the seizure.
- Ease them to the floor and turn them gently onto their side to help breathing.
- Cushion their head and clear away hard or sharp objects.
- Loosen anything tight around the neck.
- Do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth β a person cannot swallow their tongue, and objects can cause injury.
- Stay until they are fully alert and reassure them.
- Call 911 for the emergency situations listed in the box above.
For a quick, shareable version of these steps (Stay, Safe, Side), see our Epilepsy Awareness Month seizure first aid guide.
When to See a Neurologist
Any first seizure should be medically evaluated. See a neurologist if you have had a seizure, unexplained spells, or episodes of confusion or loss of awareness. An evaluation β often including an EEG β identifies the cause and whether treatment is needed.
At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists evaluate seizures with in-house EEG testing, with offices in Cumberland and Hagerstown.
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, our guide to living with epilepsy covers medication, sleep, driving in Maryland, and safety.
Serving Western Maryland & the Tri-State Area
Mir Neurology evaluates seizure symptoms for patients across Western Maryland, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania.
Maryland
Cumberland, Hagerstown, LaVale, Frostburg, Cresaptown, Hancock, Williamsport, Smithsburg, Boonsboro
West Virginia
Martinsburg, Keyser, Romney, Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw
Pennsylvania
Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Mercersburg
Cumberland office: 924 Seton Dr Suite C, Cumberland, MD 21502 β Mon-Sat, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Hagerstown office: 11110 Medical Campus Rd Unit 151, Hagerstown, MD 21742 β Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having a seizure mean I have epilepsy?
No. A single seizure can have a temporary cause, such as fever, low blood sugar, or head injury. Epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Any first seizure should still be evaluated.
What should I do if someone is having a seizure?
Keep them safe: ease them to the floor, turn them on their side, cushion the head, time it, and do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Call 911 if it lasts over 5 minutes, repeats, causes injury, or is a first seizure.
What are the main types of seizures?
Focal seizures start in one part of the brain; generalized seizures, like tonic-clonic and absence seizures, involve both sides. The type guides treatment.
What causes seizures?
Causes include fever, head injury, stroke, infections, metabolic problems, withdrawal, and epilepsy. Sometimes no cause is found.
Had a Seizure or Witnessed One?
Mir Neurology evaluates seizures with in-house EEG testing in Cumberland and Hagerstown.