E-Consults Can Expedite Specialist Advice

If you need to see a specialist, your doctor may be able to save you some time or travel by requesting an e-consult. E-consults are currently available for certain conditions within cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, psychiatry, rheumatology and neurology. Ask your doctor if an e-consult may be an option in your case.

Learn More

Seizures

Seizures are temporary interruptions in awareness, movement or sensation, caused by abnormal activity in the brain.

Types of Seizures

Generalized seizures 

  • Occur when the "electrical storm" spreads to all regions of the brain 
  • Cause various changes in consciousness
    • Some individuals develop a blank stare
    • Others may go into tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures that result in complete loss of consciousness with convulsions. 
  • After the seizure, the person has no recollection of the event. He or she may seem dazed, tired, weak or confused.

Partial seizures 

  • Occur when there is a disturbance in just one part of the brain, affecting physical or mental activity controlled by that area 
  • Do not result in loss of consciousness 
  • May cause uncontrolled shaking of an arm, leg or other body part
  • Emotions may be altered. 
  • There may be changes in the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. 
  • There may be speech disturbances.

If You See Someone Having a Seizure 

  • Call for medical help immediately (911) 
  • Gently roll the person onto one side and put something under his/her head 
  • Loosen tight neckwear 
  • Don’t try to put your fingers or any object in the person’s mouth (the tongue cannot be swallowed during the seizure) 
  • Don’t try to restrain the person 
  • Look for a medic alert bracelet that states emergency contact and medications
  • After the seizure, roll the person gently on their side to allow for easier unobstructed breathing

Related Topic: Epilepsy

Related Providers