Some people may have seizures after having a stroke. They may begin hours, days, weeks, months or even years afterward and are a result of the stroke’s injury to the brain. Stroke survivors are about 35 times more likely to have seizures in the first year after their stroke than the average person. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 22 percent of stroke survivors will have seizures. People who have had hemorrhagic, large and/or severe strokes are at the highest risk for seizures. The presence of seizures does not appear to impact the recovery or risk of death from the stroke.
Having two or more seizures after a stroke is labeled a seizure disorder, also called epilepsy. Epilepsy is defined as seizures that occur more than once because of an underlying condition in the brain.
What Is a Seizure:
The Epilepsy Foundation defines a seizure as “a change in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain”.
Although most people equate generalized convulsions with seizures, there are different types of seizures, including a momentary disruption of the senses, short periods of unconsciousness, staring spells or convulsions. Some people have more than one type of seizure. Loss of bladder and/or bowel control during a generalized seizure is common.
The Epilepsy Foundation defines a seizure as “a change in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain”.
Although most people equate generalized convulsions with seizures, there are different types of seizures, including a momentary disruption of the senses, short periods of unconsciousness, staring spells or convulsions. Some people have more than one type of seizure. Loss of bladder and/or bowel control during a generalized seizure is common.
What Causes Seizures:
All seizures are the result of sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The damage to the brain caused by a stroke can cause seizures. Also, as the brain begins to repair itself after a stroke it may develop abnormal nerve connections, which can lead to seizures.
All seizures are the result of sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The damage to the brain caused by a stroke can cause seizures. Also, as the brain begins to repair itself after a stroke it may develop abnormal nerve connections, which can lead to seizures.
What to Do – First Aid:
Seizures are more frightening than they are dangerous. Most seizures last less than five minutes and do not cause any type of damage or permanent injury. There is nothing you can do to stop a seizure once it has started, it is best to stay calm and keep the person having a seizure as safe as possible. If possible, time the seizure so you can tell the doctor how long it lasted. Do not try to hold down or restrain the person having a seizure, but do remove any hard or sharp objects from the immediate area. If possible loosen any tight clothing and place a pillow or other soft object under their head.
Seizures are more frightening than they are dangerous. Most seizures last less than five minutes and do not cause any type of damage or permanent injury. There is nothing you can do to stop a seizure once it has started, it is best to stay calm and keep the person having a seizure as safe as possible. If possible, time the seizure so you can tell the doctor how long it lasted. Do not try to hold down or restrain the person having a seizure, but do remove any hard or sharp objects from the immediate area. If possible loosen any tight clothing and place a pillow or other soft object under their head.
It is not true that someone having a seizure can swallow their tongue. Do not attempt to put anything in their mouth. If it is possible to gently turn them on their side, this will help to keep their airway clear.
After a Seizure:
After a seizure ends, the person will not immediately return to their normal state of consciousness. The period following a seizure is called a postictal state and in characterized by fatigue, confusion, exhaustion and/or sleep. People in this state may also become upset, easily frightened, aggressive or belligerent. It is important to stay calm and to remain with them during this period to reassure them as they slowly regain normal consciousness. This period may last for several minutes to several hours.
After a seizure ends, the person will not immediately return to their normal state of consciousness. The period following a seizure is called a postictal state and in characterized by fatigue, confusion, exhaustion and/or sleep. People in this state may also become upset, easily frightened, aggressive or belligerent. It is important to stay calm and to remain with them during this period to reassure them as they slowly regain normal consciousness. This period may last for several minutes to several hours.
When to Call 911:
Call 911 for emergency treatment if:
Call 911 for emergency treatment if:
- The seizure lasts for more than five minutes
- A second seizure starts shortly after the first one ended.
- Consciousness does not start to return after the seizure has ended
- The person has difficulty breathing, has been injured during the seizure or is diabetic.
Treatment and Prevention:
The goal of the treatment of seizures is to prevent them. Seizure disorders are most often treated with medications; a combination of more than one anti-seizure drug may be required. The most commonly used drugs are phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine (Tegretol), topiramate (Topamax) clonazepam (Klonopin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).
The goal of the treatment of seizures is to prevent them. Seizure disorders are most often treated with medications; a combination of more than one anti-seizure drug may be required. The most commonly used drugs are phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine (Tegretol), topiramate (Topamax) clonazepam (Klonopin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).
Although seizures may occur despite measures to prevent them, measures to control them include taking anti-seizure medication exactly as it is prescribed, avoiding unusual stress, getting enough sleep and working closely with the physician with regular evaluations and office visits.
Sources:
The Epilepsy Foundation Answer Place. The Epilepsy Foundation. 28 Feb 2007 <http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/>.
"Seizures and Epilepsy: Hope Through Research." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 26 FEB 2007. 28 Feb 2007
Burn J, Dennis M, Bamford J, Sandercock P, Wade D, Warlow C., "Epileptic seizures after a first stroke: the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project." BMJ - British Medical Journal 1997;315:1582-1587 (13 December)28 FEB 2007 <http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/315/7122/1582>.
Sources:
The Epilepsy Foundation Answer Place. The Epilepsy Foundation. 28 Feb 2007 <http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/>.
"Seizures and Epilepsy: Hope Through Research." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 26 FEB 2007. 28 Feb 2007
Burn J, Dennis M, Bamford J, Sandercock P, Wade D, Warlow C., "Epileptic seizures after a first stroke: the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project." BMJ - British Medical Journal 1997;315:1582-1587 (13 December)28 FEB 2007 <http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/315/7122/1582>.
