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Seizure Symptoms & Triggers

Experiencing or witnessing a seizure for the first time can be a jarring experience. If you or a loved one is epileptic, it is important to learn about seizure symptoms and triggers.

Seizure Symptoms

Seizures typically pass in a few seconds or minutes. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, it is important to determine if the seizures you are experiencing are epileptic or non-epileptic. Seizure symptoms include: 

  • Sensations such as tingling, dizziness and feeling full in the stomach
  • Sudden changes in emotions
  • Altered senses
  • Crying out or making a noise
  • Stare off
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Stiffening
  • Jerky, rhythmic or twitching motions
  • Convulsions
  • Falling
  • Confusion after returning to consciousness
  • Loss of bladder control Biting the tongue   

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to determine if the seizures you are experiencing are epileptic or non-epileptic.

Seizure Triggers

For many people with epilepsy, seizures seem to happen randomly. Keeping a diary of when you have seizures and what happened before them can help you identify and avoid possible triggers. Other times they can have a trigger, such as:

  • Stress
  • Lack of sleep
  • Waking up
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Some medications and substance use
  • Menstrual cycles
  • Flashing lights (this is an uncommon trigger)

Keeping a diary of when you have seizures and what happened before them can help you identify and avoid possible triggers.

Causes

The causes of epilepsy differ from person to person, with almost half of people never knowing the cause. In others, the causes may include:

  • Genetics
  • Brain trauma
  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Metabolic issues
  • Infectious disease
  • Tumors
  • Toxins
  • Stroke
  • Substance use
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