Tonic-Clonic Seizure Flashcards
Tonic-Clonic Seizure (Grand Mal)
Tonic-clonic seizures comprise of two stages: a tonic phase and a clonic phase. These intense seizures can be frightening to experience or observe, as extreme muscles spasms may temporarily arrest breathing.
Tonic Phase (Stiffening)
Tonic-clonic seizures may start with a simple partial seizure or aura. The person may experience changes in sensation, mood, or emotion leading up to the episode.
When the grand mal begins, the person loses consciousness and may fall.
Strong tonic spasms of the muscles can cause an arched back and force the air from the lungs, resulting in a cry or groan, even though the person is unaware of their surroundings.
There may be saliva or foam coming from the mouth. If the individual bites their tongue or cheek, blood may be visible.
Stiffness of the chest muscles may impair breathing partially or completely, the individual’s face or lips may appear bluish or gray, and he or she may produce gasping or gurgling sounds.
Clonic Phase (Jerking/Twitching)
Jerking movements affect the face, arms, and legs, becoming intense and rapid.
After one to three minutes, the jerking movements usually slow and the body relaxes, sometimes including the bowel or bladder.
The person may let out a deep sigh and return to more normal breathing.
Prostictal Period (After The Seizure)
After a seizure, the individual may remain unconscious for several (2-5) minutes as the brain recovers. He or she may appear to be sleeping or snoring.
Gradually, the person regains awareness and may feel confused, panicked, exhausted, physically sore, sad, or embarrassed for a few (~3) hours.
The afflicted individual may not remember having a seizure or have memory loss.
Occasionally, people may have abnormal or combative behaviour after a tonic-clonic seizure.
How To Help
Protect the person from injury by helping them to the floor, turning them on their side, and clearing away any furniture or other items to keep them from injury. Do not attempt to hold the person still.
Do not put anything in the individual’s mouth, as it may lead to injury.
Time the seizure. After one to three minutes, most seizures resolve on their own. A seizure lasting more than five minutes is an emergency. Call 911.
Calm reassurance can be helpful to a person who is recovering from a seizure.
After an individual’s first seizure, it is important to consult with a physician. Others who observed the seizure can note the details and help create a written report that the person can bring to the doctor.
Treatment
To ascertain the cause of the grand mal, the doctor may prescribe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other tests to search for scarred areas in the brain. Electroencephalography (EEG) can help distinguish seizure disorders from other conditions.
If the doctor determines a person has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, an individualized approach to treatment can help manage it. A range of therapies, including anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, and surgical procedures can address the said affliction and, in many cases, bring them under heel.
