Tonic-clonic seizures involve severe muscle contractions and loss of consciousness. They can last up to 30 minutes and are preceded by an aura. During the seizure, the body stiffens and convulses violently. Seek medical help and remove nearby objects to avoid injury.
A tonic-clonic seizure is a common and potentially serious type of generalized seizure that involves severe muscle contractions and loss of consciousness and memory. Most tonic-clonic seizures last one to three minutes, although it is possible for an attack to last up to 30 minutes or for several seizures to occur in a short period of time. The first signs of a tonic-clonic seizure are typically a high-pitched scream followed by a collapse to the ground. Within seconds, a sufferer begins to convulse violently and uncontrollably. An individual who witnesses another person having a seizure should contact emergency medical services immediately.
The exact symptoms of a tonic-clonic seizure can be different for different people. For many, a phenomenon called an aura precedes an attack. An aura can be a strange tingling sensation, a strange smell or taste, or a visual hallucination. Aura symptoms typically occur minutes or seconds before an attack, and there is usually no way to stop the impending attack.
The first phase of the seizure proper, the tonic phase, involves a sudden loss of consciousness and a tightening of most or all of the muscles in the body. Many sufferers scream just as their seizures begin because the muscles in the vocal cords contract forcefully. Stiff leg muscles make people fall over, and contractions in the throat and mouth can lead to tongue biting and shallow or no breathing. The skin and lips may also appear blue due to lack of oxygen.
The tonic phase typically lasts about 15 seconds, followed by the clonic phase. The muscles begin to relax and contract in unpredictable ways, causing a rhythmic and violent jerk of the limbs and neck. Bowel and bladder incontinence are common during a tonic-clonic seizure. After a few minutes, the shooting stops and consciousness slowly begins to return. The sufferer usually feels very weak, confused and sleepy for several hours. Severe headaches can also occur after a tonic-clonic seizure.
It is important to seek help and provide assistance to a person having a tonic-clonic seizure. Trying to grab and hold the victim during the attack can be dangerous, so a bystander should instead try to remove nearby objects such as chairs and tables to avoid injury to jerky limbs. Once the violent movements stop, the sufferer should be moved to one side to promote better breathing. Rescuers can assess the situation upon arrival and provide additional first aid if needed.
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