Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentWhat to DoEmergencies

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

What to Do

Emergencies

A convulsion is a medical event in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disrupted, causing muscles to involuntarily contract and spasm. This results in sudden, violent, and irregular movements of the body. A convulsion is not the same thing as a seizure, but it can be a symptom of different types of seizures.

Convulsion may be associated with any number of medical conditions, includingepilepsy, a head injury, severe fever, an inflammatory brain infection, exposure to toxins, and certain medications.It often requires a doctor such as aneurologistor infectious disease specialist to determine the reason it has occurred. Once a cause has been diagnosed, the appropriate treatment can follow.

This article discusses the different types of convulsions, their symptoms, and their causes. It also explores how convulsions are diagnosed and treated.

1:43Knowing What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure

1:43

Knowing What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure

Seizures That Cause Convulsions

If for any reason the excitatory forces are abnormally amplified or the inhibitory forces are impeded, thenerve signalscan fire chaotically and cause convulsions. Where the misfiring of signals occurs in the brain will ultimately determine how extensive or severe the convulsion will be.

Convulsions are a major symptom of some types of seizures. Neurotoxic substances, including those produced in response to disease and certain drugs, also can cause convulsions.

Epileptic Seizure

Guide to Anti-Epileptic Drugs

Febrile Seizure

Although frightening, a febrile seizure usually is harmless. However, emergency care should be sought if a febrile seizure lasts for longer than 10 minutes or occurs repeatedly.

When Is a Fever Too High?

Non-Epileptic Seizure

Others may occur as a result of an infection that causes the swelling in the brain and the release of toxins that disrupt electrical signals. Brain injuries can also disrupt electrical activity and not be considered epilepsy if there is only one event.

Among causes of non-epileptic seizures are:

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures: An Overview

Medication-Induced

Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Remeron (mirtazapine), stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), tramadol (a painkiller sold under the brand name ConZip and others), and isoniazid (an antibiotic) account for most medication-induced convulsions.

Drug overdose, alcohol poisoning, and drug withdrawal from barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or glucocorticoids also can cause convulsions and seizures, sometimes severe.

Causes and Prevention of Seizures

It usually is obvious when someone is experiencing a convulsion. An episode may involve the whole body or be limited to a certain part, such as an arm or a leg. It may be brief, lasting for only a few seconds, or continue for a long period of time, increasing the risk injury.

That said, what a convulsion looks like typically depends on what is causing it and and the part of the brain affected. Among the possible features of a convulsion are:

Seizure vs. Convulsion

The wordsconvulsionandseizureoften are used interchangeably, but physiologically they are different events. Aseizureoccurs due to an electrical disturbance in the brain, while a convulsion describes the involuntary action of jerking and contraction.

It is possible, for example, to have an epileptic seizure without convulsions. It also is possible to have convulsions in the absence of epilepsy. In other words, a convulsive episode is not a definitive indication of epilepsy.

Epilepsy Symptoms and Complications

Epilepsy vs. Seizure: Condition vs. Symptom

Neurological Exam

Aneurological examinationis a series of in-office tests to assess mental status, motor function, balance, coordination, reflexes, and sensory responses. It typically involves instruments like a penlight or reflex hammer and is not painful.

A neurological workup can help a doctor determine if a convulsion occurred because of an issue with the central nervous system.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

If a neurologic disorder is suspected, the doctor will likely order anelectroencephalogram (EEG), a non-invasive test in which electrodes attached to the head measure electrical brain activity.

In some cases, an EEG may require an overnight hospital stay in order to “catch” a convulsive episode when it occurs. Certain abnormal brain patterns may be suggestive of epilepsy, a brain injury, brain tumor, or other neurologic disorders.

What Is an EEG Used For?

Blood and Lab Tests

Blood tests may be ordered to check for signs of infection, electrolyte imbalances, and generalized markers of inflammation. A drug toxicology report may also be ordered.

If meningitis is suspected, the doctor may order alumbar puncturein which a needle is inserted into the lower spine to extract a sample of fluid. An evaluation of the fluid in the lab can detect if there an infection is involved.

Imaging Studies

Imaging studies can check for evidence of brain lesions or tumors as well as signs of bleeding, clots, or subdural effusion (an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the skull). The choice of study depends on the suspected cause and may include:

Differential Diagnoses

A doctor may also want to exclude causes in which convulsion is not inherently linked to neurological dysfunction, especially important if it is a first convulsive episode. Examples include:

Initial treatment of a convulsion typically will focus on stabilizing the individual even before the cause of the convulsion is identified. After that they can be diagnosed and treated accordingly, based on the underlying cause.

If that turns out to be an infection, head injury, or a diabetic crisis, for example, the appropriate treatment would be dispensed based on that finding. Hospitalization may be required. In some cases, the problem can be resolved during a single visit; others may require ongoing and extensive care.

If medications are to blame, a change of treatment or adjustment of dose may be enough to prevent future episodes. If a person has a convulsion in response to illicit drug use, they’ll likely benefit from substance abuse treatment.

Epilepsy typically is treated withanti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)such as Topamax (topiramate), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Lamictal (lamotrigine), or Dilantin (phenytoin). Aketogenic diet, responsive neurostimulation (involving an electrical implant in the brain), and surgery (such as a subpial transection) may also be part of the protocol.

Risks and Complications of Seizures

What to Do if Someone Has a Convulsion

Most seizures are not emergencies. If you witness a seizure, first make sure the person is not in harm’s way. If there are sharp or hard objects around, for example, remove them. Keep other people from crowding around.

Afterwards, help get them to a safe place and explain what happened. Make sure the person has a safe way to get home.

Do not place anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure or try to hold them down. Instead, turn them gently on one side to keep the airways clear and avoid suffocation if there is vomiting.

First Aid for Epilepsy Seizures

When Is it an Emergency?

Call 911 if:

If possible, keep track of the time so that you can tell the emergency medical team how long the seizure lasted. The more details you can provide, such as drugs that may have been taken or symptoms that occurred beforehand⁠, can help the medical team figure out the cause of a convulsive episode and determine how to treat it.

Summary

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stafstrom CE, Carmant L.Seizures and epilepsy: an overview for neuroscientists.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5(6):a022426. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a022426Laino D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.Management of pediatric febrile seizures.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(10):2232. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102232Poluha W.The prevalence of seizures during withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in medically monitored detoxification center.Alcohol Alcoholism.2014;49(Suppl_1):i63. doi10.1093/alcalc/agu054.50Nowacki TA, Jirsch JD.Evaluation of the first seizure patient: Key points in the history and physical examination.Seizure.2017;49:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.12.002Ahammad N, Fathima T, Joseph P.Detection of epileptic seizure event and onset using EEG.Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:450573. doi:10.1155/2014/450573Fisher RS.Serum prolactin in seizure diagnosis: Glass half-full or half-empty?.Neurol Clin Pract. 2016;6(2):100-1. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000228Galizia EC, Faulkner HJ.Seizures and epilepsy in the acute medical setting: presentation and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(5):409-13. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-409Cendes F, Theodore WH, Brinkmann BH, Sulc V, Cascino GD.Neuroimaging of epilepsy.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;136:985-1014. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53486-6.00051-XLiu G, Slater N, Perkins A.Epilepsy: Treatment options.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(2):87-96.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stafstrom CE, Carmant L.Seizures and epilepsy: an overview for neuroscientists.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5(6):a022426. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a022426Laino D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.Management of pediatric febrile seizures.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(10):2232. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102232Poluha W.The prevalence of seizures during withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in medically monitored detoxification center.Alcohol Alcoholism.2014;49(Suppl_1):i63. doi10.1093/alcalc/agu054.50Nowacki TA, Jirsch JD.Evaluation of the first seizure patient: Key points in the history and physical examination.Seizure.2017;49:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.12.002Ahammad N, Fathima T, Joseph P.Detection of epileptic seizure event and onset using EEG.Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:450573. doi:10.1155/2014/450573Fisher RS.Serum prolactin in seizure diagnosis: Glass half-full or half-empty?.Neurol Clin Pract. 2016;6(2):100-1. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000228Galizia EC, Faulkner HJ.Seizures and epilepsy in the acute medical setting: presentation and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(5):409-13. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-409Cendes F, Theodore WH, Brinkmann BH, Sulc V, Cascino GD.Neuroimaging of epilepsy.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;136:985-1014. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53486-6.00051-XLiu G, Slater N, Perkins A.Epilepsy: Treatment options.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(2):87-96.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Stafstrom CE, Carmant L.Seizures and epilepsy: an overview for neuroscientists.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5(6):a022426. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a022426Laino D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.Management of pediatric febrile seizures.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(10):2232. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102232Poluha W.The prevalence of seizures during withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in medically monitored detoxification center.Alcohol Alcoholism.2014;49(Suppl_1):i63. doi10.1093/alcalc/agu054.50Nowacki TA, Jirsch JD.Evaluation of the first seizure patient: Key points in the history and physical examination.Seizure.2017;49:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.12.002Ahammad N, Fathima T, Joseph P.Detection of epileptic seizure event and onset using EEG.Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:450573. doi:10.1155/2014/450573Fisher RS.Serum prolactin in seizure diagnosis: Glass half-full or half-empty?.Neurol Clin Pract. 2016;6(2):100-1. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000228Galizia EC, Faulkner HJ.Seizures and epilepsy in the acute medical setting: presentation and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(5):409-13. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-409Cendes F, Theodore WH, Brinkmann BH, Sulc V, Cascino GD.Neuroimaging of epilepsy.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;136:985-1014. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53486-6.00051-XLiu G, Slater N, Perkins A.Epilepsy: Treatment options.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(2):87-96.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.

Stafstrom CE, Carmant L.Seizures and epilepsy: an overview for neuroscientists.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015;5(6):a022426. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a022426

Laino D, Mencaroni E, Esposito S.Management of pediatric febrile seizures.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(10):2232. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102232

Poluha W.The prevalence of seizures during withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates in medically monitored detoxification center.Alcohol Alcoholism.2014;49(Suppl_1):i63. doi10.1093/alcalc/agu054.50

Nowacki TA, Jirsch JD.Evaluation of the first seizure patient: Key points in the history and physical examination.Seizure.2017;49:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.12.002

Ahammad N, Fathima T, Joseph P.Detection of epileptic seizure event and onset using EEG.Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:450573. doi:10.1155/2014/450573

Fisher RS.Serum prolactin in seizure diagnosis: Glass half-full or half-empty?.Neurol Clin Pract. 2016;6(2):100-1. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000228

Galizia EC, Faulkner HJ.Seizures and epilepsy in the acute medical setting: presentation and management.Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(5):409-13. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-409

Cendes F, Theodore WH, Brinkmann BH, Sulc V, Cascino GD.Neuroimaging of epilepsy.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;136:985-1014. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53486-6.00051-X

Liu G, Slater N, Perkins A.Epilepsy: Treatment options.Am Fam Physician.2017;96(2):87-96.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.

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