Can a grand mal seizure kill you

While it is possible for a person to die from a seizure, it is very rare. Dying solely from a seizure without secondary factors, like a fall or drowning, is even rarer. While it is uncommon to die from a seizure, it is still smart for a person with a seizure condition, such as epilepsy, to be aware of their surroundings and risk factors. Seizures can be fatal, but dying from a seizure is uncommon.

If you or a loved one has seizures , a number of questions might run through your mind. For example, can you die from an epileptic seizure? Or, can you die from a seizure in your sleep? When you hear of someone dying from a seizure, you might assume the person fell and hit their head. This can happen. Most, but not all, deaths occur during or right after a seizure. The exact cause of these deaths is unknown, yet researchers believe an extended pause in breathing leads to less oxygen in the blood and suffocation.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

They either think that seizures are not a problem or that everyone may die from them. The truth lies somewhere in between. The types of problems people may have range from injuries, the effect of repeated seizures on the brain, seizure emergencies, and death. This is a scary topic to read and talk about. Also, knowing your risks, or those of your loved ones, may help you learn what to do to lessen these risks! Some seizures rarely cause problems for people. Overall, the chance of injury is higher for people with uncontrolled seizures. The type of injuries a person may get depends on the type of seizure , how long the seizure lasts, where the seizure occurs, and if it develops into an emergency. More serious problems, such as broken bones, concussions, head injury with bleeding into the brain, or breathing problems, usually are seen in people who have generalized seizures with falls, long seizures, or repeated or clusters of seizures. The overall risk of dying is 1.

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SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes. The exact cause is not known, but these are possible factors: 1, The first and most important step to reduce your risk of SUDEP is to take your seizure medicine as prescribed. If you are taking seizure medicine and are still having seizures, discuss options for adjusting the medicine with your doctor. If seizures continue, consider seeing an epilepsy specialist, if you are not already seeing one. You can search for epilepsy specialists using the links listed on the FAQ webpage.

These seizures may be dangerous and can cause injury. It will also look at the risk factors, possible lasting effects, and how to help someone having a seizure. Epilepsy , a brain condition, commonly causes tonic-clonic seizures. Certain medications, some infections, and several other health conditions may also cause them. During a generalized tonic-clonic seizure , a person experiences rapid involuntary alternating jerking and stiffening of the body.

Can a grand mal seizure kill you

If you or a loved one has seizures , a number of questions might run through your mind. For example, can you die from an epileptic seizure? Or, can you die from a seizure in your sleep? When you hear of someone dying from a seizure, you might assume the person fell and hit their head. This can happen. Most, but not all, deaths occur during or right after a seizure. The exact cause of these deaths is unknown, yet researchers believe an extended pause in breathing leads to less oxygen in the blood and suffocation. Another theory is that the seizure causes a fatal disruption in heart rhythm, resulting in the heart stopping. Each year there are 1. Your brain contains countless nerve cells that create, send, and receive electrical impulses.

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Certain medications, some infections, and several other health conditions may also cause them. There are other types of seizures, with symptoms that may not be as familiar. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Financial Services. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Does a Keto Diet Help Epilepsy? Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Will a person with epilepsy die earlier than a person without epilepsy? Health Information Policy. What is a tonic-clonic grand mal seizure?

A tonic-clonic seizure, previously known as a grand mal seizure, causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures.

Many people who have a tonic-clonic seizure never have another one and don't need treatment. Alcohol consumption. Mood and Behavior Seizure Medications and Mood. Their symptoms include:. If you are taking seizure medicine and are still having seizures, discuss options for adjusting the medicine with your doctor. Last updated: Nov Most, but not all, deaths occur during or right after a seizure. Generalized seizures Johns Hopkins Medicine. Financial Assistance Documents — Florida. Evaluation and management of the first seizure in adults.