Grand Mal Seizure
Epilepsy or seizure disorder, is a symptom of a brain dysfunction. When a seizure occurs, it’s like an electrical shortage in the brain. Everything goes haywire. However, a person must repeatedly have seizures to have it called by the terms epilepsy or seizure disorder
What causes a seizure? Seizures arise when there is a family history, an extremely high fever, drug and alcohol abuse, infections in the brain, birth defects, and a brain tumor.
One type of epileptic seizure is called Grand Mal Seizure or Tonic-Clonic Seizure. A Grand Mal seizure has two stages Tonic and Clonic. The Tonic stage is the beginning of the seizure. The clonic stage is the end of the seizure.
During the tonic stage a person will lose consciousness and collapse. This is followed by a 15 to 20 seconds of stiffening of the muscles. This is then followed by the clonic stage which is when the persons body is violently convulsing in which you may notice that the person is either foaming at the mouth, and their eyes roll back into the head, loss of bladder and bowel control. This phase will last one to two minutes. A Grand Mal seizure can last up to five minutes.
During the seizure you may notice that the person having shallow breathing and the skin color turns pale in color. This is due to the lack of blood oxygen levels to the brain,
After the seizure has ended, the person will have a headache, muscle aches, feelings of confusion, disorientation, and/or drowsiness. At this point, it is very important to have the person rest for as long as they need to.
Are there any risks for people who have seizure disorders? Yes there is a risk not only to themselves but to others around them as well. This is mostly true for the epileptic who drives and/or operates heavy machinery. If a person who has Grand Mal seizures loses consciousness, they are completely unaware of what is happening; causing, serious physical harm, to someone else. However, there are driving restrictions in some states for people with epilepsy. Also, children who suffer from seizure disorders may be limited to certain activities.
If you notice someone having a seizure you can help them by calling 911 and by doing the following:
1. Roll the person onto their side and place something soft under their head to protect them from further injury.
2. Look for anything that may be tight around their neck and loosen it.
3. Do not place anything whatsoever into their mouth. They will not swallow their lounge. Epileptics are known for clinching their teeth. Which is why you shouldn’t stick anything in their mouth.
4. Don’t try restraining them. This could not only hurt them but you as well. Just let it pass.
5. Look for any kind of identification on the person.
You should also call for help if someone you see is;
1. having seizure lasting longer than five minutes.
2. If there are repeated seizures after the first one.
3. If there are signs that the person may have some kind of injury due to the seizure.
4. And if the person is a pregnant woman.
Medical attention is needed as quickly as possible for these four issues. It could be very dangerous if there is not any kind of help involved.
In order to determine what causes seizures the doctor may do some of the following tests.
1. An EEG or electroencephalograph is where the doctor places electrodes on the persons head with a gel. This will measure the brain’s wave activity. The patient will be asked to relax and close their eyes. They will also be asked to take deep breaths and to look at a flashing light.
2. A physical. Your doctor will perform a physical where they test your reflexes, muscle tone and strength, posture, hand eye coordination and balance. They will also ask you questions to test your memory, thinking and judgement skills.
3. They will ask you about your family’s medical history.
Even though these are the most common tests for people with a seizure disorder, there are more tests for further evaluation such as:
An MRI. This is where the doctor places you into a machine and takes images of you brain to see if there is anything suspicious ( a tumor) that might be causing the seizures.
The doctor may want to do a blood test; to screen the blood for any kind of toxic substances. O r to rule out any other causes.
They also may want to do a spinal tap. A spinal tap is where the doctor removes some fluid from the spine and looks for an infection on the brain.
Some treatments for those who have epilepsy is either medication and if they absolutely need it surgery. Some medications for seizures are: Phenobarbital, Lamictal, Topamax, Dilantin, and Valium. A change in diet may also be an option.
