HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Are The Symptoms Of Potential Seizures?

While building a house, I was found in a dazed state, with apparent bladder incontinence, bruises on forearms, cut on face and top of head. Because of the incontinence, seizure activity was suspected. Tests revealed no EEG abnormality. What is the likelihood that a seizure was the culprit as opposed to a head injury from a fall ? I have no recollection of being at the site, going to the hospital, or seeing my wife, who found me. I woke up in the hospital the day after. Approximately twenty years prior I had a one time grand mal seizure.
Tue, 2 Dec 2014
Report Abuse
Neurologist 's  Response
I read your questions and I understand your concern.
Regarding the question, in your case I think the chances of it having been a seizure are very high. Of course the bruises are from the fall, but the fall itself was caused by loss of consciousness during the seizure. The fact that the following EEG showed no abnormality doesn't exclude it, EEG supports the diagnosis when abnormal, but doesn't exclude it if normal because when not seizing many patients could have normal EEGs. Regarding the symptoms they could vary in different seizure types, but total loss of consciousness (the bruises indicate that you were completely uncoscious unable to protect yourself from the fall) is certainly the hallmark of a generalized seizure.
Of course since there were no witnesses one can't be sure, there is a chance the fall came first and caused the loss of consciousness, one should carefully consider the circumstances of how you were found, position, chances of falling from high place. However the fact you had a seizure in the past would be in favor of a seizure being at fault.
What's important now is search for other causes of loss of consciousness like heart arrhythmia, metabolic changes in blood tests and brain imaging to look for cerebral lesions at the origin of the seizures. An EEG could be repeated later perhaps, cause at times if EEG exam is repeated it could show present abnormalities.
Hope to have answered your question, I wish you good health.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Electroencephalography


Loading Online Doctors....
What Are The Symptoms Of Potential Seizures?

I read your questions and I understand your concern. Regarding the question, in your case I think the chances of it having been a seizure are very high. Of course the bruises are from the fall, but the fall itself was caused by loss of consciousness during the seizure. The fact that the following EEG showed no abnormality doesn t exclude it, EEG supports the diagnosis when abnormal, but doesn t exclude it if normal because when not seizing many patients could have normal EEGs. Regarding the symptoms they could vary in different seizure types, but total loss of consciousness (the bruises indicate that you were completely uncoscious unable to protect yourself from the fall) is certainly the hallmark of a generalized seizure. Of course since there were no witnesses one can t be sure, there is a chance the fall came first and caused the loss of consciousness, one should carefully consider the circumstances of how you were found, position, chances of falling from high place. However the fact you had a seizure in the past would be in favor of a seizure being at fault. What s important now is search for other causes of loss of consciousness like heart arrhythmia, metabolic changes in blood tests and brain imaging to look for cerebral lesions at the origin of the seizures. An EEG could be repeated later perhaps, cause at times if EEG exam is repeated it could show present abnormalities. Hope to have answered your question, I wish you good health.