What Is the Meaning of Convulsions?

Convulsions happen when a person begins to shake uncontrollably. This shaking stems from the muscles in the body contracting and relaxing repeatedly. The word "convulsion" is often used as a synonymous term for "seizure." It is important to remember, however, that there are several types of seizures, and all are triggered by electrical activity in the brain that sets off suddenly.

Considerations

• Seizures usually last from about 30 seconds to two minutes, and despite their alarming appearance, they are usually harmless. If the seizure lasts longer than two minutes, or if multiple seizures take place, call help immediately. A person who has frequent or reoccurring seizures has a condition called epilepsy. Epileptic seizures can be controlled with medication.

Causes

• The most common causes of convulsions are alcohol use, intoxication, barbiturate use, brain tumor, choking, drug abuse, electric shock, epilepsy, fever (especially in young children), head injury, heart disease, heat intolerance, low blood sugar, meningitis, poisoning, stroke, venomous bites and stings.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of convulsions vary and include blackouts, frothing at the mouth or drooling, eye movements, grunting or snoring, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden falling, teeth clenching, halt in breathing, uncontrollable muscle spasms, jerky or twitchy limbs and sudden anger or laughter. In addition, you may notice that the person has some of these classic warning signs before the convulsion begins: anxiety, nausea, vertigo and visual symptoms, such as flashing lights, spots or wavy lines in the sight path.

Special Considerations

• If you are witnessing someone having convulsions, there are a few things you should never do. Do not restrain the person. Do not place anything between the person's teeth; this includes fingers. Don't move the person unless they are in a hazardous situation. Do not try to make the person stop convulsing; they are not aware of what's happening. Do not give the person anything by mouth until the convulsions have ceased, and they are fully aware and alert.

Emergency Information

• Call 911 immediately if the person has had a seizure in a body of water; if you know this is the first seizure the person has had; the person is unconscious after two minutes; another seizure happens immediately after the first; the person has had a seizure to last more than five minutes; the person is pregnant, injured or has diabetes; or the person doesn't have on an emergency bracelet with first aid instructions.