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Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
Alternative Names: Seizure - tonic-clonic; Seizure - grand mal; Grand mal seizure; Seizure - generalized Symptoms: Many patients have an aura (sensory warning sign) preceding the seizure. This can include a visual, taste, smell, sensory, or other hallucination or dizziness. The seizure itself involves: loss of consciousness or fainting, usually lasting between 30 seconds and five minutes general muscle contraction and rigidity (tonic posture), usually lasting 15 to 20 seconds violent rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation (clonic movement), usually lasting for one to two minutes biting the cheek or tongue, clenched teeth or jaw incontinence (loss of urine or stool control) stopped breathing or difficulty breathing during seizure blue skin color Text Continues Below Almost all people experience loss of consciousness, and most people experience both tonic and clonic muscle activity. After the seizure: the person usually begins breathing normally when the seizure is over arousable but sleepy for one hour or longer loss of memory (amnesia) regarding events surrounding the seizure episode headache drowsiness confusion, temporary and mild may be weak for 24-48 hours following seizure (Todd's paralysis) Signs and tests: Diagnosis of a grand mal seizure is based on the symptoms and excluding other medical problems that can look like a seizure (such as heart arrythmia). A neuromuscular examination may or may not reveal neurologic deficits (decreases in brain functions) when the person is not actively having seizures. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>