Causes of Seizures
A seizure can be subtle or dramatic, with convulsions, and the person may temporarily lose consciousness. Their body may jerk, twitch or go stiff, or they may simply stare into space. All these are forms of seizure, and there are different causes of seizures, too. To help, there's Valtoco (diazepam), a nasal spray medication used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy. It works by increasing the calming effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain.
What is a Seizure?
Doctors describe a seizure as a sudden abnormal discharge of brain cells – a surge of electrical activity in the brain. There may be too much or too little electrical activity. This causes an imbalance in brain activity. The chemical changes can lead to a surge of electrical activity, triggering a seizure.
A seizure is usually brief. The form it takes – subtle or dramatic – will reflect the brain region when the surge occurs. Since each section of the brain controls a different behavior, each seizure is different.
Seizures are a symptom of several disorders that affect the brain. In some cases, the seizure will be barely noticed. Other seizures can be disabling. Nearly half the people who have one seizure will have another within six months.
What Can Cause a Seizure?
There are several causes of seizures, and everyone can experience them differently. Here we go over the main causes.
1. Genetics
Like other conditions, some forms of seizures or epilepsy can be passed down through genetics. The mutation may affect how the genes properly work in the brain. More testing and research is needed, but if your family member suffers from seizures, keep an eye out for your own health too.
2. Structural Brain Changes
It's known that seizures can occur in childhood. Some children are born with brain structure differences, while adults can develop this from tumor development, trauma or experiencing a stroke.
3. Infection
Unfortunately, suffering from an infection can affect your brain's health. Infections of the brain are typically treated with medicine, but scarring can be left over, which can result in seizures.
4. Having a Congenital Condition
Having certain conditions can make you more susceptible to experiencing a seizure. These include Down's syndrome, Angelman's syndrome, tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis.
5. Low Blood Sugar and Electrolyte Levels
You may not realize it, but your blood sugar and electrolytes perform a key role in keeping your body running smoothly. If these levels get too low, they can cause a seizure, and even further brain damage.
Coping With Seizures
Stay calm if you see someone who is having a seizure. If you can, try to time the seizure. Most last only a minute or more. If the person is pregnant – or seizure lasts longer than five minutes – call emergency services immediately.
A seizure can be mild or severe, and it affects everyone differently. It may be tough to watch. Seizures temporarily interfere with:
- Movement.
- Muscle control.
- Vision and/or speech.
- Awareness.
In some cases, the person's entire body may shake violently. They may even lose consciousness. This can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. You may feel helpless, but you can help in many ways.
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How to Help During a Seizure
- Protect the person from injury.
- Try to prevent falling; guide the person gently to the floor.
- Move furniture or other objects that might cause injury.
- Do not force your fingers or anything else into the person's mouth.
- Do not try to hold down the person.
Helping After a Seizure
- Turn the person on their right or left side. This allows fluid to leak out of the mouth.
- Use your finger to gently remove any vomit or saliva from the person's mouth (if necessary) to promote breathing. If this does not work, call for emergency help.
- Loosen any tight clothing around the person's neck and waist.
- Provide a safe area so the person can rest.
- Do not offer them anything to eat or drink until the person is fully awake and alert.
Valtoco (Diazepam)
Valtoco (diazepam) is a nasal spray medication used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy. It's specifically prescribed for treating episodes of acute repetitive seizures or cluster seizures, where seizures happen close together in a short time.
Valtoco works by increasing the calming effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA, which helps reduce the electrical activity that leads to seizures. It's fast-acting because it's administered through the nose, making it a convenient option for stopping seizures quickly. It’s typically used alongside other medications to help control seizures in people who already take daily seizure medicines.
Things to Watch for During a Seizure
You can provide valuable information to the doctor. Try to remember:
- How the person acted before the seizure.
- How the person's body moved during the seizure.
- How long the seizure lasted.
- How the person acted after the seizure.
- Whether the person had any injuries during the seizure.
When to Seek Emergency Help
In many cases, seizures do not require urgent care, but call 911 immediately if:
- Breathing stops longer than 30 seconds. (Begin rescue breathing after calling).
- The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- A person is pregnant.
- More than one seizure occurs within 24 hours.
- A person does not normally respond within one hour.
- A person has new symptoms, such as trouble speaking, thinking clearly or walking.
- A person has a fever.
- A seizure occurs following a sudden, severe headache.
- The seizure follows a head injury.
- A person with diabetes has a seizure. Low or very high blood sugar can be the cause.
- A seizure occurs after toxic fumes or eating poison.
- The person complains of severe pain after waking up or develops a fever within 24 hours of the seizure.
Stay with the person until they are awake and familiar with the surroundings. Often, they will be sleepy or confused following a seizure.
If you need to be prepared for a seizure regarding someone you love, read this article a second or third time to ensure you know exactly what to do when a seizure occurs. Seizures can be relatively upsetting to witness, but you can help control the situation.
