Seizures can be sudden, frightening, and unpredictable—but with early diagnosis and proper care, most seizure disorders can be managed effectively. Whether it’s a single unexplained event or a recurring pattern, understanding what causes seizures and how they affect the brain is the first step to restoring control, safety, and confidence in everyday life.
At Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), our Neurology Department provides patients with comprehensive care—from diagnosis to long-term treatment—for a wide range of seizure-related conditions. Here’s what you need to know.
1. What Are Seizures and How Do They Affect the Brain?
A seizure occurs when there is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that disrupts normal communication between nerve cells. This abnormal activity can cause a wide range of symptoms—from brief lapses in awareness to full-body convulsions.
Seizures are not a disease by themselves; they are a symptom of an underlying neurological issue, such as epilepsy, brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, infection, or metabolic disorder.
Effects on the brain may include:
- Temporary confusion
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Emotional or sensory disturbances
The nature of a seizure depends on where in the brain it begins, how long it lasts, and whether it spreads. While some people may experience only one seizure in a lifetime, recurrent seizures are often diagnosed as a seizure disorder or epilepsy.
2. Common Types of Seizure Disorders
Seizure disorders are classified based on how and where the abnormal brain activity begins. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) categorizes seizures into two major types: focal seizures and generalized seizures.
Focal (Partial) Seizures
These start in one part of the brain and can remain localized or spread.
- Focal aware seizures (previously called simple partial): You remain conscious but may feel unusual sensations or movements.
- Focal impaired-awareness seizures (formerly complex partial): You experience confusion or lose awareness during the event.
Generalized Seizures
These involve both sides of the brain from the start and tend to cause loss of consciousness.
- Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly grand mal): Characterized by stiffening (tonic) and rhythmic jerking (clonic) of the body.
- Absence seizures (petit mal): Often seen in children, featuring brief lapses in attention without convulsions.
- Myoclonic seizures: Sudden jerking of muscles.
- Atonic seizures: Sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to collapse.
Other subtypes and rare forms also exist, and an accurate diagnosis is critical to choosing the right treatment.
3. Recognizing Triggers and When to Seek Help
Seizures can be provoked or unprovoked, with several internal and external factors acting as triggers.
Common seizure triggers include:
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress or anxiety
- Flashing lights or visual patterns
- Hormonal changes (e.g., menstruation)
- Alcohol or substance use
- Fever (febrile seizures in children)
- Missed doses of medication (antiseizure medication, some medications like antibiotic)
In some cases, seizures may occur without an identifiable trigger, especially in epilepsy.
Regardless, a seizure should never be ignored, especially if:
- It is the first time the person has had a seizure.
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
- The individual does not regain consciousness quickly.
- Repeated seizures occur without recovery in between.
- It follows a head injury, high fever, or infection.
If any of these apply, emergency care or immediate consultation with a neurologist is advised.
4. How CGHMC Diagnoses and Evaluates Seizure Activity
Diagnosing seizure disorders requires a multimodal approach, which CGHMC’s Neurology
Department delivers with precision and speed. Every case begins with a comprehensive
medical history, physical and neurological examination, followed by targeted diagnostic
testing.
Diagnostic tools may include:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG):
Measures electrical activity in the brain and identifies abnormal patterns associated with seizure disorders. - Brain Imaging (MRI or CT scan):
Detects structural causes such as tumors, stroke, scarring, or congenital abnormalities. - Blood Tests:
Rule out metabolic issues or infections. - Video EEG Monitoring:
Used for complex or unclear cases to capture seizure activity while monitoring behavior and brain waves. - Neuropsychological Testing:
May be recommended to assess how seizures affect memory, attention, and cognitive function.
Patients at CGHMC benefit from integrated diagnostics and specialist consultations all under one roof—allowing for faster diagnosis and tailored care.
5. Personalized Treatment and Long-Term Care at CGHMC
Not all seizures require lifelong treatment. For those who do, personalized therapy plans help improve outcomes and preserve quality of life.
Treatment options at CGHMC include:
- Antiseizure medications (ASM):
The first line of treatment to control seizures. Doses are customized to each patient’s type of seizure and lifestyle. - Surgical evaluation and referral:
For drug-resistant epilepsy, surgical intervention to remove seizure foci may be considered. - Dietary therapy:
The ketogenic or modified Atkins diet can be effective for certain types of epilepsy, particularly in children. - Counseling and psychological support:
Seizure disorders can cause emotional strain, anxiety, or social isolation. Counseling helps patients and families cope. - Seizure first aid and education:
Teaching patients and caregivers how to respond during a seizure is critical for safety and confidence.
CGHMC’s neurologists also coordinate with other specialties when seizures are secondary to an underlying condition—such as infection, stroke, or brain injury.
Regular follow-up is key to:
- Tracking medication effectiveness
- Adjusting therapy plans
- Monitoring for side effects or breakthrough seizures
- Supporting school, work, or driving clearance for patients
Consult a Neurologist at CGHMC for New or Worsening Symptoms
Whether you or a loved one has had a first-time seizure or is living with a known condition, early evaluation and expert care are essential. The Neurology Department at CGHMC provides timely consultations, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate long-term support for seizure disorders of all types.
Call (02) 8711 4141 to book a neurology appointment Visit www.cghmc.com.ph to learn more about our services
Seizures can be unpredictable—but your care doesn’t have to be. Take control with expert guidance at CGHMC.
Ref:
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-types
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/epilepsy/types-of-seizures
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-epilepsy
