What are the characteristics of a grand mal seizure

Epilepsy is divided into major seizures and minor seizures. Major seizures can have a serious impact on the patient's life. The main symptoms of a major seizure include clonic seizures, whole body convulsions, loss of consciousness, foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling up, convulsions of the limbs, and in severe cases, incontinence.

1. Premonitory period

Symptoms of epilepsy premonitory stage-mental abnormality

Irritability, euphoria, confusion, restlessness, or even hitting others

Being irritable, euphoric, absent-minded, hyperactive, or even hitting, biting, or destroying things, and completely refusing to listen to advice. Older children may say that they feel upset and always want to quarrel. Some children feel panic before the attack and throw themselves into the arms of their loved ones or grab objects; some feel a sudden rush of air, feel dizzy and swollen, and then have an epileptic attack.

Symptoms of epilepsy premonitory stage 2 Gastrointestinal dysfunction

Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and intestinal rumbling, abdominal distension, thirst, short and dark urine, and constipation. The children who were able to speak said that their stomachs were churning, as if there was a force of air rushing upwards. Some people may have lips that look like they are painted with red, mouth ulcers, and thick yellow tongue coating.

Symptom 3 of epilepsy premonitory stage: disturbed sleep

Lack of sleep, restlessness after sleep, or sudden screaming, sitting up, or shaking of limbs.

Symptoms of the prodromal stage of epilepsy include abnormal sensory and motor functions: patients often complain of numbness and pain in the limbs, a crawling sensation, and occasional twitching of the facial or limb muscles. The head or body turns to one side, or turns in circles to one side, or twitching of the limbs or corners of the mouth is limited to one side. Or hearing abnormalities, such as buzzing in both ears or accompanied by vertigo. Or visual abnormalities, black spots in front of the eyes, etc. Or abnormal sense of smell, smelling unusual odors, etc.

2. Tetanic phase

Skeletal muscle exhibits sustained contraction. The upper eyelid lifts up, the eyeballs move upward, the throat spasms, and a scream is made. The mouth is first opened and then closed tightly, which may cause the tip of the tongue to be bitten. The neck and trunk are first flexed and then extended. The upper limbs change from lifting and rotating backward to adduction and rotating forward. The lower limbs move from flexion to strong extension. After the tonic phase lasts for 10 to 20 seconds, slight tremors appear in the extremities.

3. Clonic phase

Each subsequent spasm is accompanied by a brief relaxation of muscle tension, the frequency of clonus gradually slows down, and the relaxation period gradually prolongs. This phase lasts about 0.5-1 minute; after the last strong spasm, the convulsion stops suddenly. During the above two stages, there is an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, increased sweat and saliva, dilated pupils, temporary interruption of breathing, and the skin turns from pale to cyanotic.

4. Late seizure

After the clonic phase, there is a brief tonic spasm, which causes clenched jaws and incontinence. Breathing is restored first, and foam or blood comes out of the mouth and nose. Heart rate, blood pressure, pupils, etc. returned to normal. Muscle tension is relaxed. Consciousness gradually returned.

It takes 5 to 10 minutes from the onset of the seizure to the recovery of consciousness. After waking up, he felt headache, body aches and fatigue, and had no memory of the convulsion. Many patients fall into a coma after their consciousness disturbance is alleviated. Some patients experience emotional changes, such as rage and panic, before they are fully awake, and are unable to respond to the onset of the disease after waking up.