Seizures

What is Seizures?

A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that affects how you move, feel, or act. During a seizure, nerve cells fire rapidly and uncontrollably, sending mixed signals throughout your body. Some seizures cause violent shaking and loss of consciousness. Others are so mild that people barely notice them.

Seizures can happen once and never return, or they can occur repeatedly. When someone has recurring seizures, doctors call this epilepsy. However, not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy. Fever, head injury, low blood sugar, or certain nutritional deficiencies can trigger seizures even in people without epilepsy.

The brain relies on precise chemical balance to function properly. When that balance is disrupted, seizures can result. This is why some vitamin deficiencies, especially in newborns, can cause seizure activity. Understanding the root cause of seizures helps guide the right treatment approach.

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Symptoms

Sudden jerking movements of arms and legs
Staring spells or brief periods of confusion
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Muscle stiffness or uncontrollable shaking
Temporary confusion or difficulty speaking
Strange sensations such as tingling or odd smells
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Rapid eye movements or eye rolling
Falling suddenly without explanation
Uncontrollable crying or laughing

Some people experience warning signs called auras before a seizure begins. These can include unusual feelings, sensations, or emotions. Not everyone has visible symptoms during all seizures. Some seizures are so brief that they go unnoticed by the person experiencing them.

Causes and risk factors

Seizures happen when the normal electrical patterns in the brain are disrupted. Many factors can trigger this disruption. Genetics play a role in some cases, making seizures run in families. Brain injuries from accidents, strokes, or infections can create scar tissue that triggers abnormal electrical activity. Tumors, brain malformations present at birth, and lack of oxygen to the brain can also cause seizures.

Nutritional deficiencies represent an important but often overlooked cause of seizures. Vitamin B6 deficiency is particularly significant, especially in newborns. This vitamin is essential for producing neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that help brain cells communicate. Other risk factors include high fever in children, very low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, sleep deprivation, and certain medications. In some cases, doctors cannot identify a specific cause.

How it's diagnosed

Diagnosing seizures requires a detailed medical history and neurological exam. Your doctor will ask about what happened before, during, and after the episode. An electroencephalogram or EEG measures electrical activity in your brain. This test can show abnormal patterns even between seizures. Brain imaging such as MRI or CT scans helps identify structural problems like tumors or scarring.

Blood tests play an important supporting role in seizure diagnosis. They can identify metabolic problems, infections, or nutritional deficiencies that might trigger seizures. Testing for Vitamin B6 levels is especially important in newborns with seizures, as severe deficiency can affect brain function. Talk to our doctor about testing options to identify potential root causes. While we offer some nutritional testing, specialized neurological testing may be needed for a complete evaluation.

Treatment options

Anti-seizure medications prescribed by a neurologist to prevent future episodes
Vitamin B6 supplementation if deficiency is identified, especially in newborns
Ketogenic diet or modified Atkins diet under medical supervision for some types of epilepsy
Regular sleep schedule, as sleep deprivation can trigger seizures
Stress management techniques including meditation and breathing exercises
Avoiding known triggers such as flashing lights, alcohol, or specific medications
Staying well hydrated and maintaining stable blood sugar levels
Vagus nerve stimulation device for medication-resistant epilepsy
Brain surgery to remove seizure-causing tissue in severe cases
Responsive neurostimulation device that detects and stops seizures

Frequently asked questions

Stay calm and keep the person safe. Move hard or sharp objects away from them. Gently turn them on their side to keep their airway clear. Do not put anything in their mouth or try to hold them down. Time the seizure and call emergency services if it lasts longer than 5 minutes or if another seizure starts right after.

Yes, severe deficiencies of certain nutrients can trigger seizures. Vitamin B6 deficiency is particularly important, especially in newborns, because this vitamin helps produce neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. Low levels of magnesium, calcium, or glucose can also cause seizures. Correcting these deficiencies often resolves the seizure activity.

No, there are many different types of seizures. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and include tonic-clonic seizures with shaking and convulsions. Focal seizures start in one area of the brain and may cause unusual sensations or movements without loss of consciousness. Absence seizures cause brief staring spells that last only seconds.

Not necessarily. A single seizure can be caused by fever, head injury, low blood sugar, infection, or medication reactions. Epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has two or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart. Your doctor will evaluate what caused your seizure and whether you need ongoing treatment.

An EEG measures electrical activity in your brain and can detect abnormal patterns. Brain imaging with MRI or CT scans looks for structural problems. Blood tests check for infections, metabolic disorders, and nutritional deficiencies such as low Vitamin B6. Your doctor may order additional specialized tests depending on your symptoms and medical history.

Yes, lifestyle factors can significantly impact seizure control. Getting enough sleep is critical, as sleep deprivation is a common trigger. Managing stress, avoiding alcohol, staying hydrated, and taking medications as prescribed all help. Some people benefit from dietary changes such as a ketogenic diet under medical supervision.

Febrile seizures occur in young children when body temperature rises quickly. The rapid temperature change affects the developing brain's electrical activity. These seizures are usually brief and do not cause lasting brain damage. Most children outgrow febrile seizures by age 5 and do not develop epilepsy later.

Most seizures last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Brief seizures usually stop on their own without causing lasting harm. A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes is a medical emergency called status epilepticus. This requires immediate treatment to prevent brain damage.

Some people with seizures achieve complete control with medication and may eventually stop treatment without seizures returning. Others manage their condition long-term with medication or other therapies. When seizures result from correctable causes such as vitamin deficiencies or infections, treating the underlying problem can eliminate seizures completely.

Driving regulations vary by state but generally require a seizure-free period before you can drive legally. Most states require 3 to 12 months without seizures. Your doctor will advise you based on your specific situation and state laws. Following these guidelines protects both you and others on the road.