What is tonic seizures?
Tonic seizures are a sudden, short -term episode of unusual electrical activities in the brain that causes muscles to solidify. An individual who is experiencing tonic seizures is unable to control the body movements and loses consciousness during the action. Most tonic seizures last less than 20 seconds at a time and usually occur when a person sleeps. It is important to seek medical evaluation after the seizure, so doctors can determine the basic causes and administer the correct treatment.
There are many different types of epileptic seizures that are categorized according to part of the brain that is affected and related symptoms. Tonic seizures are classified as generalized seizures, which means that electrical activity is disturbed throughout the brain instead of an isolated area. They usually include loss of consciousness and lack of memory for seizures after they happen. For reasons that doctors are not well understood, tonic seizures are most likely to occur when people feel sleepy or brieflyafter they fall asleep.
tonic seizure is also characterized by a sudden sharp increase in muscle tone. During the episode, the muscles of the neck, shoulders and limbs suddenly tighten and leave the suffering stiff and completely unable to move for 20 seconds. The legs of the sleeping person can fully spread and the arms can rise above his head. The tonic seizure that occurs, while the individual is awake, may lead to a fall or other injury.
people can experience tonic seizures at any age and for many different reasons. Children under five years of age who have frequent tonic seizures usually have a congenital form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Seizures can occur later in their lives due to head trauma, brain tumors, or withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, among others strong strong. It is rare to experience a single tonic seizure in life; Most people who are affected suffer from recurring epissesOdami and also has seizures of different types.
A person who is experiencing tonic seizures should visit an emergency room as soon as possible or plan a meeting with a primary care doctor. The doctor may ask about symptoms, take blood samples for laboratory analysis and perform a number of diagnostic imaging tests. The physician usually performs computer tomographic scanning of the patient's brain to check physical abnormalities and perform electroencephalogram to monitor electrical activity in the brain. If a clear diagnosis cannot be made, the doctor may give the patient an epileptologist for further testing.
treatment of tonic seizures depends on basic causes. Adult patients usually receive anticonvulsive prescription drugs and instruct them to maintain good eating, sleep and exercise habits to reduce the risk of repeating seizures. Children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome may have to undergo brain surgery to correct congenital deformities and reduce the frequency and severity of futureepisode. There is no clear remedy for epilepsy, but the use of drugs and adherence to a doctor's recommendation usually allows the patient to successfully manage symptoms and enjoy normal and active lifestyle.