Can a grand mal seizure kill you

These seizures may be dangerous and can cause injury.

A seizure is a sudden electrical disturbance in the brain that causes uncontrollable physical symptoms and movements. Seizures can be scary to witness and experience, but can they put your life in danger? We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Epilepsy, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available - and be a part of finding a cure. When electrical disturbances occur in your brain, they can induce a seizure. Seizures can happen as a single occurrence, but multiple seizures are likely indicative of epilepsy a seizure condition. Seizures can upset your normal functioning and cause uncontrollable movements and behaviors. The typical form of seizure that most people are probably familiar with is a tonic-clonic seizure, which produces violent jerking of the limbs and body, stiffened muscles, and unconsciousness.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

If you or a loved one has seizures , a number of questions might run through your mind. For example, can you die from an epileptic seizure? Or, can you die from a seizure in your sleep? When you hear of someone dying from a seizure, you might assume the person fell and hit their head. This can happen. Most, but not all, deaths occur during or right after a seizure. The exact cause of these deaths is unknown, yet researchers believe an extended pause in breathing leads to less oxygen in the blood and suffocation. Another theory is that the seizure causes a fatal disruption in heart rhythm, resulting in the heart stopping. Each year there are 1. Your brain contains countless nerve cells that create, send, and receive electrical impulses.

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SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes. The exact cause is not known, but these are possible factors: 1, The first and most important step to reduce your risk of SUDEP is to take your seizure medicine as prescribed. If you are taking seizure medicine and are still having seizures, discuss options for adjusting the medicine with your doctor. If seizures continue, consider seeing an epilepsy specialist, if you are not already seeing one. You can search for epilepsy specialists using the links listed on the FAQ webpage.

An EEG records the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes affixed to the scalp. EEG results show changes in brain activity that may be useful in diagnosing brain conditions, especially epilepsy and other conditions that cause seizures. During a high-density EEG test, flat metal discs called electrodes are attached to the scalp. In a high-density EEG , shown here, the electrodes are close together. The electrodes are connected to the EEG machine with wires. Some people wear an elastic cap fitted with electrodes instead of having the adhesive applied to their scalps. These SPECT images show the blood flow in the brain of a person when there's no seizure activity left and during a seizure middle. After a seizure, see a healthcare professional to thoroughly review your symptoms and medical history. You may need several tests to determine the cause of your seizure. The tests can evaluate how likely it is that you'll have another one.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

A tonic-clonic seizure, previously known as a grand mal seizure, causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures. During a seizure, there's a burst of electrical activity in the brain that causes changes in behavior and movements. Seizures can be focal, meaning the burst of electrical activity happens in one area of the brain. Or seizures can be generalized, in which they result in electrical activity in all areas of the brain. Tonic-clonic seizures may begin as focal seizures in a small area of the brain and spread to become generalized seizures that involve the whole brain. Focal and generalized seizures have different symptoms. People who have generalized seizures usually lose consciousness.

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Treatment options for seizures include:. Last updated: Jun Seizure deaths Causes Risk factors Reducing risk Questions to ask the doctor Seeking help Summary While it is possible for a person to die from a seizure, it is very rare. Ways to reduce seizure danger include: Seek diagnosis and medical help if you experience a seizure Adhere to your medication regimen Identify the triggers for your seizures and reduce your exposure to them these can include alcohol consumption, stress, sleep deprivation, and bright lights Use seizure-monitoring devices, e. It is a good idea to tell a loved one what has happened, and if possible, ask them to come to your home. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine. If a person has a seizure for the first time, they should see a doctor immediately to receive a diagnosis. Related Coverage. McGraw Hill; Seizure first aid. The exact cause of these deaths is unknown, yet researchers believe an extended pause in breathing leads to less oxygen in the blood and suffocation. Managing Epilepsy Well Network. Practice guideline summary: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy incidence rates and risk factors: Report of the guideline development, dissemination, and implementation subcommittee of the American academy of neurology and the American epilepsy society

Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures, are characterized by both stiffness and jerking motions.

Symptoms of partial seizures include: Twitching Isolated temporary paralysis Muscle tensing Hallucinations and aura Sweating Emotional changes. Certain symptoms and seizure types are riskier than others, but some things can be done to reduce the risk of death. Share this story facebook. While the cause of sudden and unexplained death, or SUDEP, is by definition unknown, there are theories to suggest why death occurs. Ketogenic Diet. Ramussen's Syndrome. Reduce your risk of dying due to a seizure If you experience seizures, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of death, both from secondary injuries and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Have you considered clinical trials for Epilepsy? Learn about some alternative remedies that might help and what they involve here. An abnormal electrical discharge in the brain causes a seizure.