A seizure occurs when the brain cells respond abnormally for various reasons. There is an uncontrolled and sudden burst of electrical activity inside the brain. Due to this, there are changes in mobility, emotions, consciousness levels, and behavior. In most cases, a head injury or stroke causes a seizure onset. Sometimes infections like meningitis may also cause it. Here are a few common causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.

Causes
One of the most common causes of seizures is epilepsy. However, not everyone who experiences seizures has it. There are several other causes and triggers, such as the following.

• Extremely high fever causes a type of seizure known as a febrile seizure
• An infection in the brain, such as meningitis and encephalitis
• A lack of sleep for a long duration
• Low levels of sodium in the blood
• Prescriptions that are taken for the treatment of chronic pain and depression
• A head trauma or injury that causes a concussion, bleeding, or stroke in the brain
• Aneurysms in the brain
• Tumors in the brain, including those caused by cancer
• Cerebral hypoxia or lack of oxygen in the brain
• Degenerative health conditions associated with the brain, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Eclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure leading to seizures during pregnancy
• Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium
• Sensitivity to flickering or flashing lights
• Genetic health disorders inherited from parents
• Hormonal changes and imbalances
• Severe inflammation caused by autoimmune health conditions
• Metabolic problems caused by high blood sugar or low blood sugar
• Mental health disorders such as conversion disorder
• Sepsis from injury or surgery
• Strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning or heavy metal poisoning

Signs and symptoms of seizure
The signs and symptoms of seizure vary depending on the type. The common types are generalized tonic-clonic, focal, superficial partial, complex partial, temporal lobe, petit mal, and febrile seizure. Some conditions, like epilepsy, can cause generalized and focal seizures at different times. One can progress to another. In several such cases, the signs of seizure become apparent before it takes place. Some of these symptoms are:

• Suddenly feeling anxious, panic, or unexplained fear
• Feeling nauseous or sick to the stomach
• Disorientation and dizziness
• Changes in the vision, such as blurriness
• Suddenly experiencing jerky movements in the legs and arms, causing them to drop things or fall
• Experiencing an out-of-body sensation
• A constant and persistent throbbing headache
• Experiencing a feeling similar to déjà vu
• Quick changes in mood

In addition, there are several symptoms and signs that a person experiences as the seizure is in progress. These include the following.

• Shifted levels of consciousness along with feeling confused
• Experiencing uncontrollable muscle spasms
• Froth or drool of the mouth
• Sudden fall and stumble
• Feeling a strange, odd taste in the mouth
• Clenching of jaws and teeth
• Biting down on the tongue
• Rapid and sudden eye movements with rolling eyeballs
• Making grunting and other unusual noises
• No control over bowel or bladder function

Treatment options
The treatments for seizures depend on their cause. Therefore some types of seizures, such as febrile seizures caused by high fever, are curable, but those caused by epilepsy are not. However, treatments are recommended to lower the chances of experiencing seizures and to manage the symptoms. These include prescriptions, surgery, brain stimulation, changes in meal plans, and vagal nerve stimulation.