A fit, seizure or convulsion (the terms are synonymous) is a result of a disturbance in the functioning of the
brain. A convulsion may be minor and involve the simple twitching of one limb, or major in which the patient loses
consciousness, many muscle groups go into uncontrolled intermittent spasm, the patient falls, sweats profusely,
has a rapid heart rate, clamps their jaw shut and loses control of their bladder.
The main task of anyone present at a seizure is to protect the sufferer from harm. Do not restrict their
movements, since the spasms and jerking are automatic and trying to stop them may cause injury. Simply move
any objects that may be a danger and, if necessary, remove false teeth (but do not prise the mouth open or force
objects into it). Protect the head from banging against the floor by putting something flat and soft (such as folded
jacket) under it. If necessary loosen the person's collar so they can breathe more easily. Artificial respiration will
probably be impossible, and the sufferer will breathe normally again at the end of the seizure, generally after a
minute or so. The sufferer may fall asleep once the seizure has ended, in which case place them in the coma
position (on side with legs bent) and allow them to wake naturally. There may be a card or tag on the person saying
what to do in case of a seizure - look for this and follow the instructions.
Although relatively uncommon, and very distressing when they do occur, there are scores of causes for a
convulsion that vary from the obvious to the extremely obscure.
Everyone thinks of epilepsy and other serious diseases when fitting occurs, but a simple faint, severe bacterial
and viral infections, high fever and a sudden shock or intense fear can trigger a convulsion. Overdoses of
numerous prescribed and illegal drugs, as well as alcohol, strychnine and cyanide poisoning may also be
responsible.
Children sometimes have convulsions because of a sudden rise in temperature. These febrile convulsions
consist of body rigidity, twitching, arched head and back, rolling eyes, a congested face and neck, and bluish face
and lips. Generally the seizure will end quite quickly, but the carer should ensure that the airway is clear, turn the
child on to the side if necessary, remove clothing, bathe or sponge the child with lukewarm water, and when the
convulsion has eased obtain medical attention.
Epilepsy is a condition that causes recurrent seizures (fits). Some people are born with epilepsy, while others
acquire the disease later in life after a brain infection, tumour or injury. Brain degeneration in the elderly, removing
alcohol from an alcoholic or heroin from an addict, or an excess or lack of certain chemicals in the body can also
cause epilepsy. Fits can vary from very mild absences in which people just seem to lose concentration for a few
seconds, to uncontrolled bizarre movements of an arm or leg, to the grand mal convulsion in which an epileptic can
thrash around quite violently and lose control of bladder and bowel.
A head injury from any cause may cause immediate or delayed fitting because of injury to the brain, or bleeding
into or around the brain. Bleeding may also be caused by the spontaneous rupture of a weakened artery or vein in
the skull, and the resultant pressure on the brain can have many varied effects.
The brain is supported and completely surrounded by a three layered membrane (the meninges), which contain BABIES A to Z
17
the cerebrospinal fluid. If these meninges are infected by a virus or bacteria (meningitis) the patient may experience
headache, fever, fits, neck stiffness and in severe cases may become comatose.
Encephalitis is an infection of the brain itself, which may be confused with meningitis. The symptoms include
headache, intolerance of bright lights, fever, stiff neck, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, tremors, confusion,
convulsions, stiffness and paralysis.
Severe dehydration caused by excess sweating and/or lack of fluid in a hot environment, particularly if
exercising, may cause collapse and fitting. This may be combined with excessive body temperature (hyperthermia),
which aggravates the problem. Marathon runners who collapse and start twitching are often suffering from these
problems.
Children who have behaviour problems may have severe temper tantrums, which can appear to be similar to a
convulsion. If the child is a very determined breath holder, the end stage may be collapse and fitting due to lack of
oxygen reaching the brain, which usually settles quite quickly.
A lack of oxygen from near drowning, suffocation or smoke inhalation may also have adverse effects on the
brain that trigger fitting.
Uncommon causes of convulsions in babies include a tumour or cancer affecting the brain or surrounding
structures within the skull, significant liver or kidney disease, hydrocephalus, and a lack of thyroxine
(hypothyroidism). Rapid shallow breathing may alter the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the lungs, and
thus the blood. The blood becomes more alkali, and irritates small muscles, particularly in the hands, which go into
spasm and may appear to be a convulsion. This is known as tetany (totally different to tetanus infection) and
patients have fingers and sometimes wrist, forearms and feet, which are pointed in a firm spasm.
Numerous rare syndromes, inherited conditions and congenital abnormalities may also be responsible.
brain. A convulsion may be minor and involve the simple twitching of one limb, or major in which the patient loses
consciousness, many muscle groups go into uncontrolled intermittent spasm, the patient falls, sweats profusely,
has a rapid heart rate, clamps their jaw shut and loses control of their bladder.
The main task of anyone present at a seizure is to protect the sufferer from harm. Do not restrict their
movements, since the spasms and jerking are automatic and trying to stop them may cause injury. Simply move
any objects that may be a danger and, if necessary, remove false teeth (but do not prise the mouth open or force
objects into it). Protect the head from banging against the floor by putting something flat and soft (such as folded
jacket) under it. If necessary loosen the person's collar so they can breathe more easily. Artificial respiration will
probably be impossible, and the sufferer will breathe normally again at the end of the seizure, generally after a
minute or so. The sufferer may fall asleep once the seizure has ended, in which case place them in the coma
position (on side with legs bent) and allow them to wake naturally. There may be a card or tag on the person saying
what to do in case of a seizure - look for this and follow the instructions.
Although relatively uncommon, and very distressing when they do occur, there are scores of causes for a
convulsion that vary from the obvious to the extremely obscure.
Everyone thinks of epilepsy and other serious diseases when fitting occurs, but a simple faint, severe bacterial
and viral infections, high fever and a sudden shock or intense fear can trigger a convulsion. Overdoses of
numerous prescribed and illegal drugs, as well as alcohol, strychnine and cyanide poisoning may also be
responsible.
Children sometimes have convulsions because of a sudden rise in temperature. These febrile convulsions
consist of body rigidity, twitching, arched head and back, rolling eyes, a congested face and neck, and bluish face
and lips. Generally the seizure will end quite quickly, but the carer should ensure that the airway is clear, turn the
child on to the side if necessary, remove clothing, bathe or sponge the child with lukewarm water, and when the
convulsion has eased obtain medical attention.
Epilepsy is a condition that causes recurrent seizures (fits). Some people are born with epilepsy, while others
acquire the disease later in life after a brain infection, tumour or injury. Brain degeneration in the elderly, removing
alcohol from an alcoholic or heroin from an addict, or an excess or lack of certain chemicals in the body can also
cause epilepsy. Fits can vary from very mild absences in which people just seem to lose concentration for a few
seconds, to uncontrolled bizarre movements of an arm or leg, to the grand mal convulsion in which an epileptic can
thrash around quite violently and lose control of bladder and bowel.
A head injury from any cause may cause immediate or delayed fitting because of injury to the brain, or bleeding
into or around the brain. Bleeding may also be caused by the spontaneous rupture of a weakened artery or vein in
the skull, and the resultant pressure on the brain can have many varied effects.
The brain is supported and completely surrounded by a three layered membrane (the meninges), which contain BABIES A to Z
17
the cerebrospinal fluid. If these meninges are infected by a virus or bacteria (meningitis) the patient may experience
headache, fever, fits, neck stiffness and in severe cases may become comatose.
Encephalitis is an infection of the brain itself, which may be confused with meningitis. The symptoms include
headache, intolerance of bright lights, fever, stiff neck, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, tremors, confusion,
convulsions, stiffness and paralysis.
Severe dehydration caused by excess sweating and/or lack of fluid in a hot environment, particularly if
exercising, may cause collapse and fitting. This may be combined with excessive body temperature (hyperthermia),
which aggravates the problem. Marathon runners who collapse and start twitching are often suffering from these
problems.
Children who have behaviour problems may have severe temper tantrums, which can appear to be similar to a
convulsion. If the child is a very determined breath holder, the end stage may be collapse and fitting due to lack of
oxygen reaching the brain, which usually settles quite quickly.
A lack of oxygen from near drowning, suffocation or smoke inhalation may also have adverse effects on the
brain that trigger fitting.
Uncommon causes of convulsions in babies include a tumour or cancer affecting the brain or surrounding
structures within the skull, significant liver or kidney disease, hydrocephalus, and a lack of thyroxine
(hypothyroidism). Rapid shallow breathing may alter the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the lungs, and
thus the blood. The blood becomes more alkali, and irritates small muscles, particularly in the hands, which go into
spasm and may appear to be a convulsion. This is known as tetany (totally different to tetanus infection) and
patients have fingers and sometimes wrist, forearms and feet, which are pointed in a firm spasm.
Numerous rare syndromes, inherited conditions and congenital abnormalities may also be responsible.
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