Expert Diagnosis of Seizure Symptoms in Arizona

Seizures are the result of abnormal patterns of electrical activity in the brain. There are many different types of seizures because the irregular activity can affect any part of the brain. 

Arizona’s finest seizure care is available at Dignity Health, including diagnosis and treatment of seizure symptoms in Arizona. Three Dignity Health hospitals are Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Centers. Learn more about our comprehensive neurology services at each state-of-the-art location: 

Find a Doctor online and make an appointment.

 

Seizure Symptoms

The most common types of seizures are partial, petit mal, and generalized tonic-clonic — or grand mal — seizures. Partial seizures only affect a small part of the brain and may have very specific symptoms. Petit mal seizures may only be brief episodes of staring and unresponsiveness. Grand mal seizures affect the entire brain. Entire body spasms and complete loss of consciousness are hallmarks of grand mal seizures. 

Following a seizure, the person may feel weak or tired or have changes in mood and behavior.

 

Perceptual Symptoms That May Occur With Seizures

Seizures may accompany symptoms that affect your sensations and perceptions: 

  • Changes in hearing, taste, or smell
  • Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
  • Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
  • Difficulty with memory
  • Hallucinations
  • Loss of vision or changes in vision

 

Other Symptoms That May Occur With Seizures

Seizures may accompany symptoms related to other body systems: 

  • Dementia
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Muscle twitching or spasms
  • Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
  • Pain
  • Staring and lack of responsiveness
  • Tingling or other unusual sensations in the hands or feet
  • Weakness

 

Potential Injury From Seizure Symptoms

Because seizures involve bouts of unconsciousness, it is possible to be injured during a seizure. Injuries can include: 

  • Bodily injury from falling or convulsing
  • Damage to your mouth or tongue due to clenching jaw muscles
  • Pulmonary aspiration from inhaling blood, vomit, or other substances into the lungs 

Call 9-1-1 for any type of first-time seizure.

You also should seek emergency care for a seizure lasting longer than five minutes, or under these circumstances:

  • Multiple seizures occur in a short span of time.
  • The person is unconscious or injured.
  • The person is injured or experiencing other serious symptoms such as trouble breathing or choking.

Dignity Health provides expert diagnosis of seizure symptoms in Arizona.