What Are the Causes of Tonic Seizures?

Tonic-clonic seizures are a type that involve the entire brain. This is the type of seizure seen in epileptics and used to be known as grand mal seizures. Symptoms include the stiffening of muscles and sometimes the lack of consciousness.

Causes

• Like most seizures, tonic seizures are idiopathic. This means they happen suddenly and the cause is either unknown or difficult to define.

Types

• Some seizures are localized, meaning they affect only part of the brain. Tonic-clonic seizures are general and affect the entire brain. Sometimes they may be the result of a localized seizure spreading to involve all of the brain.

Theories/Speculation

• Doctors believe that tonic-clonic seizures could stem from imbalances in the brain, such as chemical or neurotransmitter. When signals go awry in the brain, it may trigger a seizure.

Other Factors

• Things such as exhaustion, flashing lights, stress, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues and certain medications may trigger tonic-clonic seizures.

Genetics

• Genetic abnormalities in the brain that can cause seizures also can be a cause. These abnormalities are present from birth and make people predisposed to seizures.