So, what does a seizure look like?
Not all seizures are alike.
In order to understand why seizures can look different, let’s look at parts of the brain
and their functions.
At the back part of the frontal lobe is an area called the motor strip and in the front
part of the parietal lobe is an area called the sensory strip.
The motor strip is responsible for muscle movements and the sensory strip is responsible
for feeling or sensation.
The temporal lobe is on the temple side and is responsible for speech, language and hearing.
The occipital lobe is at the back of the brain and is responsible for vision.
Now, another thing to consider is that one side of the brain typically controls the opposite
side of the body.
This is important in helping us understand more about which part of the brain might be
involved with the seizure.
Because different parts of the brain control different activities, where the seizure starts,
and how it spreads in the brain, determines what the seizure will look like.
This picture represents the motor strip.
It is the part of the brain which controls our muscle activity.
If a seizure is in the area of the motor strip, the abnormal electrical activity spreads in
a very organized fashion.
If the abnormal electrical activity remains localized, the seizure might only involve
the face and/or hand.
If it progresses however, it starts to involve different parts of the body as it spreads
along the motor strip.
So, it may start out with a funny sound as it involves the larynx and then the tongue
may start moving followed by parts of the face, then the hand, arm, the trunk of the
body, hip, leg and finally the foot.
The reality however, is that the abnormal electrical activity can spread so fast that
it makes it difficult to see the progression as the whole body becomes rapidly involved.
Other types of seizures involve different parts of the brain and there can be changes
in vision, smell, sensation, or taste.
A seizure can be as simple as a staring spell which cannot be interrupted.
During a seizure some people can be conscious and aware but, they may or may not be able
to talk.
Others can be staring, “zoned out,” unaware and unresponsive with an altered consciousness.
Some people are unconscious.
Seizures can involve one or both sides of the body.
There can be rhythmic shaking, jerking, twitching, stiffening or clenching involving one or more
body parts.
When this happens, all of the affected body parts will move together.
Another type of seizure involves a sudden loss of muscle tone, which can look as simple
as a head drop, or suddenly falling to the ground.
Children having a seizure can have drooling or foam-like saliva coming from the mouth.
There can be color changes and the child may look dusky, gray, bluish or pale.
This change in color is due to slower and shallower breathing pattern during the seizure.
There can also be some odd noises like gurgling, groaning or sighing while having the seizure.
Although seizures can have a variety of different looks, they have two typical characteristics.
First, a seizure will have an onset, so abrupt that it will immediately interrupt whatever
the person is doing.
And second, you cannot stop the seizure by touching or holding the involved body part.
Sometimes it is hard to decide if “zoning out” is day dreaming or a seizure.
In this case, it is helpful to touch the person and see if they respond by looking up, speaking
or withdrawing.