Grand mal seizure

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Tests and diagnosis Complications Treatments and drugs Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

A grand mal seizure — also known as a tonic-clonic seizure — features a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures in general.

Grand mal seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain, so signs and symptoms typically involve the entire body. In some cases, this type of seizure is triggered by other health problems, such as extremely low blood sugar or kidney failure. However, most grand mal seizures occur as a result of epilepsy.

Grand mal seizure affects all ages. This variety of seizure can occur just once or may recur throughout life. It takes at least two seizures to justify a diagnosis of epilepsy. Daily anti-seizure medications can control grand mal episodes for most people.

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Symptoms