Can a grand mal seizure kill you

A seizure is a sudden electrical disturbance in the brain that causes uncontrollable physical symptoms and movements. Seizures can be scary to witness and experience, but can they put your life in danger? We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Epilepsy, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available - and be a part of finding a cure.

While it is possible for a person to die from a seizure, it is very rare. Dying solely from a seizure without secondary factors, like a fall or drowning, is even rarer. While it is uncommon to die from a seizure, it is still smart for a person with a seizure condition, such as epilepsy, to be aware of their surroundings and risk factors. Seizures can be fatal, but dying from a seizure is uncommon. Epilepsy is a group of conditions in which people have seizures.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

These seizures may be dangerous and can cause injury. It will also look at the risk factors, possible lasting effects, and how to help someone having a seizure. Epilepsy , a brain condition, commonly causes tonic-clonic seizures. Certain medications, some infections, and several other health conditions may also cause them. During a generalized tonic-clonic seizure , a person experiences rapid involuntary alternating jerking and stiffening of the body. This can involve the torso, arms, and legs on both sides of the body. The person is unaware of their surroundings and become unresponsive, sometimes losing consciousness. Tonic-clonic seizures can last just a few seconds or up to several minutes. Prior to a seizure, a person may experience a visual aura, a change in mood, strange tastes or smells, or headaches. Tonic-clonic seizures occur in two stages : The tonic stage and the clonic stage. The clonic stage will immediately follow the tonic stage.

Avoiding your triggers could potentially reduce your number of attacks. Rights to Having a Service Animal. Log in.

SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes. The exact cause is not known, but these are possible factors: 1, The first and most important step to reduce your risk of SUDEP is to take your seizure medicine as prescribed. If you are taking seizure medicine and are still having seizures, discuss options for adjusting the medicine with your doctor. If seizures continue, consider seeing an epilepsy specialist, if you are not already seeing one.

Tonic-clonic seizures, previously known as grand mal seizures, are characterized by both stiffness and jerking motions. A generalized tonic-clonic seizure is a disturbance in the functioning of both sides of your brain. A seizure that starts by affecting one side of your brain but spreads to involve both sides is called a focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. This disturbance is caused by an atypical spread of electrical signals through the brain. Often this will result in signals being sent to your muscles, nerves, or glands. The spread of these signals in your brain can make you lose consciousness and have severe muscle contractions. Seizures , specifically tonic-clonic seizures, are commonly associated with epilepsy. However, a seizure can also occur because you have a high fever, head injury, or low blood sugar.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

These seizures may be dangerous and can cause injury. It will also look at the risk factors, possible lasting effects, and how to help someone having a seizure. Epilepsy , a brain condition, commonly causes tonic-clonic seizures. Certain medications, some infections, and several other health conditions may also cause them. During a generalized tonic-clonic seizure , a person experiences rapid involuntary alternating jerking and stiffening of the body. This can involve the torso, arms, and legs on both sides of the body. The person is unaware of their surroundings and become unresponsive, sometimes losing consciousness.

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Seizures, generalized tonic clonic. A neurological exam can look for abnormalities in your nervous system, whereas a blood test can check for infections or genetic conditions that may contribute to seizures. Accessed March 9, While it is possible for a person to die from a seizure, it is very rare. Give Today. Loss of consciousness. While many epileptic seizures involve shaking or twitching, there are many different types of seizures. A seizure is a sudden electrical disturbance in the brain that causes uncontrollable physical symptoms and movements. Main Navigation Sidebar Navigate. Find an Epilepsy specialist who can help guide you through your epilepsy journey. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or prescribe a different medication. Sexual Health. Financial Services.

If you or a loved one has seizures , a number of questions might run through your mind.

Ferri FF. Unfortunately, the risk of mortality is significantly higher in people with epilepsy than it is in a healthy population. They should also seek medical advice if they have more than one seizure within 24 hours. Previous What Happens During a Seizure? Many people who have a tonic-clonic seizure never have another one and don't need treatment. Overview of Autonomic Seizures. We avoid using tertiary references. Frequently asked questions. The researchers note the reported number of deaths can vary widely between studies. Causes of epilepsy-related deaths include:. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. About Mayo Clinic.