As owner and administrator of a network of freestanding emergency rooms in Texas, Jeanne Shipp emphasizes prompt, professional, and knowledgeable care. A former ER nurse, Jeanne Shipp is experienced in treating a wide range of conditions, including seizures, which result from electrical disturbances in the brain that are sudden and uncontrolled.
Typically lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes, the type of seizure depends on its severity and how and where it starts in the brain. More common than many realize, seizures can result from closed-head injuries, strokes, or infections like meningitis. In many cases, however, the cause can be unknown.
One of the most common types of seizures is the focal seizure, which affects only a specific area of the brain. It often causes impaired awareness, though there may be no loss of consciousness. Common symptoms include repetitive movements, staring into space, and abnormal responses to surroundings. There may also be a change to the feel, taste, or look of things, and involuntary jerking of parts of the body.
Generalized seizures extend to all areas of the brain and can take a variety of forms, from absence seizures that involve subtle body movements to dramatic tonic or clonic seizures associated with epilepsy. Immediate medical assistance should be sought out in cases where the seizure extends more than five minutes or if a second seizure follows in quick succession. Other danger signs are loss of consciousness or stopped breathing, even after the seizure ends. Those experiencing a seizure with co-occurrence of high fever and heat exhaustion or who have diabetes or are pregnant should seek medical care.
Typically lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes, the type of seizure depends on its severity and how and where it starts in the brain. More common than many realize, seizures can result from closed-head injuries, strokes, or infections like meningitis. In many cases, however, the cause can be unknown.
One of the most common types of seizures is the focal seizure, which affects only a specific area of the brain. It often causes impaired awareness, though there may be no loss of consciousness. Common symptoms include repetitive movements, staring into space, and abnormal responses to surroundings. There may also be a change to the feel, taste, or look of things, and involuntary jerking of parts of the body.
Generalized seizures extend to all areas of the brain and can take a variety of forms, from absence seizures that involve subtle body movements to dramatic tonic or clonic seizures associated with epilepsy. Immediate medical assistance should be sought out in cases where the seizure extends more than five minutes or if a second seizure follows in quick succession. Other danger signs are loss of consciousness or stopped breathing, even after the seizure ends. Those experiencing a seizure with co-occurrence of high fever and heat exhaustion or who have diabetes or are pregnant should seek medical care.
