Understanding seizures

Posted on 30 July 2012

Meet our expert Dr Manesh Pillay, a neurologist affiliated with Mediclinic Kloof in Pretoria.

I had some kind of seizure – do I have epilepsy?
A seizure would have made you pass out, or move or behave in an unusual way, as it’s the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Most seizures last only a few seconds or minutes and are typically associated with epilepsy, but not everyone who has had a seizure has epilepsy. Problems such as low blood sugar or infection can also cause seizures, and you can also have episodes that seem like seizures but are caused by other issues such as anxiety or fainting spells.

How do I know whether I’ve had a seizure?
There are different kinds of seizures and each has a different set of symptoms.
• Tonic-clonic siezures or grand mal seizures often result in stiffness and jerking movements.
• Other types of seizures have less dramatic changes, such as shaking movements in one arm or a part of the face, or ‘freezing up’ and staring for a few seconds.

Is it something I should see my doctor about?
If you’ve never had a seizure before, you – or whoever is with you – should call for an ambulance. A seizure can be a sign that something is wrong.

What treatment can I expect after a seizure?
Your treatment will depend on the cause.
• If the seizure was due to an infection, it’s the infection that will be treated.
• If you’ve had repeated seizures because of epilepsy, you’ll probably need to go onto anti-seizure medication.

I’m on anti-seizure medication but it’s not working for me. What now?
Sometimes you’ll need to try different medications before you settle on one that works well. Seizures can be hard to control, but if you work with your doctor, chances are good that you will find effective treatment. If you keep having seizures – even after trying different medications – there are other options. One of these is surgery to remove the part of the brain that’s causing the seizures. It’s also possible to get a device placed in the chest that helps control the seizures. Discuss these options with your doctor to see whether any would be suitable for you.

I’d like to do everything I can to reduce my chances of having more seizures. What should I do?
You can:
• Take your medication exactly as directed, the right dose at the right time.
• Let your doctor know about any side effects, so you can work together to find the best medication for you.
• Be careful not to let your prescription run out. Stopping anti-seizure medication suddenly can put you at risk of seizure.
• While on anti-seizure medication, check with your doctor before taking any other new medication. Mixing prescription, non-prescription and herbal medications with anti-seizure medications can increase side effects or cause the anti-seizure medication not to work as well.
• Avoid alcohol as it can increase the risk of seizures, affect seizure medicines and increase their side effects.

What should my friends and family do if they see me having a seizure?
• They should move out of the way any objects that could cause you to hurt yourself.
• They should make a note of how long the seizure lasts and how you move.
• They must put nothing in your mouth.
• Once the seizure is over, they should lie you on your side to recover.

My son has seizures from time to time. Do I need to see a doctor after each one?
Talk to your doctor, as you may not need to. But if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes or he does not wake up afterwards, an ambulance should be called for. An ambulance should also be requested for anyone having a seizure for the first time.

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The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.