Which type of seizure affects both sides of the brain?

Seizures are often portrayed in movies as a dramatic and frightening event, but they can affect individuals in different ways. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions worldwide, and seizures are one of its primary symptoms.

Did you know that not all seizures affect both sides of the brain? There’s a specific type of seizure that does so – let’s delve into this topic!

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that involves recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can occur at any age, and there may be multiple causes such as genetic factors, head injury or stroke.

What is Generalized Seizure?

A generalized seizure occurs when there is an imbalance between excitation (stimulation) and inhibition (calming) processes within the brain network leading to widespread activation on both sides.

Tonic-Clonic Seizure

Tonic-clonic seizure(formerly called grand mal) affects all areas_ at once making it one of the most noticeable forms due to its intense shaking movements and loss consciousness with possible convulsions up to five minutes or longer.

While tremors may appear random without forewarning, people who have recurring signs could eventually identify what triggers them like flashing lights or high stress situations — epileptic aura–; these forewarnings tend to tail off soon after their first appearance.

Absence Seizure

On the other hand minor absence seizures commonly associated with staring assaults usually still involve impact over large regions rather than being limited exclusively anywhere near exterior cortex locations

Atonic / Drop Attack

Falling over accounts for majority instances characteristically correlated with instantaneous simultaneous contraction-loss throughout all muscular sectors raising mortality risk known from repeated injuries whether hitting downstair steps walls etcetera

Partial Seizures

A partial (or focal) seizure affects one area/region of the brain, such as the temporal or frontal lobes rather than being generalized.

Simple Partial Seizure

Simple partial seizures will barely appear to onlookers; these types of attacks are characterized by odd movements in a distinctive body part like twitching fingers. There may be no loss of consciousness during a simple partial seizure.

Complex Partial Seizures

Complex partial seizures –> aka Predominantly Limbic Seizures which display heightened activation center spans areas throughout cortex most commonly seen within cerebral temporal lobe causing sensations associated with feeling déjà vu alongside lack recognition amongst epileptic patients that appear to feel quite real but cannot recall if anything occurred before aura period .

What is Bilateral tonic-clonic seizure?

Bilateral tonic-clonic or primary generalized is a severe manifestation of epilepsy where both hemispheres experience abnormal electric discharging at once, resulting in muscle convulsions and temporary unconsciousness. It’s also known as tonic-clonic plus absences type due to brief phase interventions between the two phases similar to forms previously discussed.

The symptomatology usually include:

  • Stiffening through extreme tension for about 10 -20 seconds
  • Muscle jerks characterised by rhythmic contraction accompanied with breathing cessation
    -postictal phase which involves regaining attentiveness while still feeling mental distraught without memory recollection over preceding minutes or durations

Causes

There’s no single cause behind bilateral tonic clonic seizures. Still, it primarily appears related to genetic predisposition families who have histories exhibiting various types possibly sharing triggers akin high fever or severe metabolic changes along nearby neuron-channels.

When someone experiences more than one fit unilaterally it becomes widespread henceforth these frequently reoccur worsening onset conditions exacerbating impairment towards cognitive function eventually leading long-term complications even after treatment measures undertaken .

How Can You Manage It?

The management of seizures varies based on individual needs, medical history and type/severity of the seizure. The primary treatment plan for bilateral tonic-clonic seizures include anticonvulsants which can decrease severity or frequency over time.

In some cases, lifestyle changes could also help in managing epilepsy such as getting enough sleep, reducing alcohol intake avoiding triggers high levels stressor(s).

To avoid injury during a seizure episode fall assessment is necessary. For instance carefully removing obstacles from immediate surroundings while supervising individuals while if outdoors should be advised to move to areas at low risk falling

Conclusion

Seizures are an unpredictable event that can occur due to genetic factors, head injury or stroke. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions worldwide primarily through its symptomatology which presents itself on varying degrees.

Bilateral tonic clonic seizure stands out among other types because it impacts both sides with severe muscle convulsions leading temporary unconsciousness. Management includes using anticonvulsants/treatments along particular lifestyle adjustments focusing on minimizing the likelihoods any onset may significantly affect personal well-being — all playing crucial roles toward long-term coping strategies embraced by those affected- ultimately paving way towards successful underlying outcome achieving best practices/measures taken within given circumstances and environmental variances surrounding them whilst continuing to promote increased awareness amongst public education concerning overall epileptic conditions widespread throughout local communities internationally .

And remember: Stay vigilant when dealing with epilepsy!

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