Seizures rarely result in death, but it can occur. Fatal seizures are rare, occurring in only about 0. 6% of those who have epilepsy. Of those who do die, the majority (75%) have some underlying medical condition with life-threatening consequences.
For people who have epilepsy, death from a seizure is more likely to occur when they have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease, brain tumor, infections, or other illnesses that can lead to a decrease in the body’s ability to breathe.
In addition, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a rare form of death that affects a small number of people with uncontrolled epilepsy. SUDEP is more likely to occur in people who experience frequent grand mal (or tonic-clonic) seizures, although it can also happen after any type of seizure.
It is sometimes referred to as an “accidental death” and is the leading cause of death among those with epilepsy. To reduce the risk of seizure-related death, it is important that people with epilepsy take all necessary precautions and properly manage their condition, including taking their medications as prescribed and following an appropriate lifestyle and treatment plan.
Table of Contents
Can seizures lead to death?
Yes, seizures can lead to death in certain circumstances. Seizures themselves are not usually lethal, but they can lead to a number of other medical problems that can result in death. One of the most serious complications of a seizure is status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure lasting more than five minutes.
This can cause severe physical exhaustion and/or brain damage, both of which can be fatal. Other complications of seizures can include respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, aspiration, positional asphyxial distress, dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities.
All of these conditions could result in death if they are not caught and treated early enough. In addition, seizures can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as a brain tumor or stroke, that can also lead to death if untreated.
Are seizures usually fatal?
No, seizures are not usually fatal, although they can be in certain rare cases. A seizure is the result of unusual electrical activity in the brain, often caused by an underlying medical condition or taking certain medications.
In most cases, seizures are not life-threatening – though they can be dangerous if they happen while the person is driving or doing another activity that requires concentration or physical coordination.
Seizures can usually be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. However, some people may need to use an anti-seizure device or undergo surgery to stop seizures.
In very rare instances, seizures can cause cardiac arrest, as well as suffocation from seizure-related respiratory problems. Additionally, when someone with epilepsy has seizures frequently or develops additional neurological symptoms, this can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as a high-grade brain tumor.
It is important for someone having seizures to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment so that any potential causes can be identified and managed appropriately.
Are seizure deaths painful?
It is difficult to answer this question definitively as everyone’s experience of a seizure death is unique. However, most medical professionals agree that, in general, seizure deaths are not thought to be painful for the person who passes away.
Seizures typically cause a decrease in oxygen to the brain and can cause unconsciousness or even death in some cases. It is generally accepted that these events occur so quickly that there is no perception of pain.
In less severe seizure events, the person typically regains consciousness quickly and reports feeling no pain or discomfort.
Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that severe seizures can lead to a state of physical paralysis, leading to a feeling of calmness or even euphoria. While no one can say for certain, this may be an indication that the person is not feeling any pain during a seizure episode, even if it results in death.
Ultimately, it is impossible to know for sure whether or not a person experiences pain during a seizure, however, medical professionals agree that it is likely a painless event.
Can a seizure stop your heart?
No, a seizure itself cannot stop your heart. Seizures involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain which can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on which areas of the brain are involved. These may include altered consciousness, involuntary muscle twitching, and unusual sensations.
Seizures can cause irregular heart rate and rhythm, which can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and even fainting. However, seizures themselves do not cause the heart to stop beating, although they may lead to a condition known as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
SUDEP is the unexpected, sudden death of an individual with epilepsy that is not attributable to any other identified cause. Although this is rare, it can occur and is of particular concern to individuals with seizure conditions.
It is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider and to be aware of signs of cardiac distress if you or a loved one experiences seizures.
Do seizures shorten life expectancy?
The short answer to this question is that, in most cases, seizures do not significantly shorten life expectancy. Certain types of seizures, such as those that lead to multiple episodes of prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) or cause sustained periods of difficulty breathing (respiratory arrest) can lead to long-term disability or even death.
However, these seizure types are still considered rare, and the prognosis for people with seizures overall is quite good. Research has found that with proper management and treatment, the long-term prognosis of individuals with seizures is comparable to those without.
It is important to remember that each seizure type and underlying cause of seizures is unique and can differ from person to person. In some cases, side effects from medication, damage from recurrent seizures, or lifestyle choices can decrease life expectancy.
Additionally, systemic illnesses, such as diabetes, depression, and hypertension that often accompany seizures, can also decrease overall life expectancy if not managed properly. With appropriate medications, lifestyle changes, and mental health support, individuals with seizures can lead long, normal lives.
Overall, research has shown that the life expectancy of individuals with seizures is largely comparable to that of those without. Early diagnosis and access to quality care are critical in improving the prognosis of individuals with seizures.
Overall, proper management and intervention can enable individuals with seizures to live as long (or longer) than those without.
How long can they live with seizures?
The length of time a person can live with seizures depends on the type of seizure and severity of the disorder. Many people with epilepsy have only one type of seizure and are able to manage their seizures with the help of medication, lifestyle changes, and other treatments.
For these individuals, life expectancy is generally the same as it is for someone without the condition.
In other cases, epilepsy may be more serious and life-threatening. If a person has frequent and/or severe seizures, it can lead to brain damage, developmental disabilities, and an increased risk of death.
Some people with severe epilepsy may have shorter life expectancies due to the severity of their seizures and associated complications.
In general, it is difficult to predict life expectancy in individuals with epilepsy, as it depends on the individual and the type and severity of the disorder. For most people with epilepsy, however, seizures can be managed and life expectancy can be expected to be similar to that of someone without the condition.
What is the most life-threatening type of seizure?
The most life-threatening type of seizure is known as a tonic-clonic (or “grand mal”) seizure. During a tonic-clonic seizure, the person will experience a sudden loss of consciousness, accompanied by a stiffening of the body and arms and legs (the “tonic” phase).
This is then followed by a jerking of the body, violent thrashing of the arms and legs and often, loss of bladder and bowel control (the “clonic” phase).
Tonic-clonic seizures can last from a few seconds to several minutes, and often result in confusion, headache and fatigue afterwards. The most life-threatening complication of a tonic-clonic seizure is called status epilepticus, which is a prolonged seizure lasting greater than 5 minutes or having multiple seizures in quick succession without full recovery of consciousness in between.
Status epilepticus can lead to lack of oxygen to the brain, resulting in brain damage or even death.
If you or someone you know experiences a tonic-clonic seizure, call your local emergency services and have them assessed by a medical professional.
Do seizures hurt humans?
Seizures can be physically uncomfortable and even painful for some people, though the degree of pain experienced is quite variable. Some people will feel a flash of pain as part of their seizure, or experience muscular pain or headache afterwards.
Some people experience pain in specific body parts or feel a tingling or burning sensation. During a seizure, some people may perceive a feeling of ‘being pulled’ or a feeling of pressure or tightness, or sensations around their face, mouth, or hands.
The more intense seizures, especially those associated with conditions such as epilepsy, can cause extreme physical sensations, including violent muscle contractions, limb jerking, foaming at the mouth, heavy breathing, or loss of bladder and bowel control.
The contractions can cause injury and fractures, and the jerking can cause people to fall, hit their head, or bite their tongue.
Seizures can therefore cause physical discomfort and even pain, particularly in certain cases. There are treatments that can help manage seizures, with the aim of reducing their occurrence and their severity.
It’s important that anyone who experiences seizures regularly should seek medical advice, so that an appropriate treatment regime can be prescribed.
What is death by seizure called?
Death by seizure is medically referred to as status epilepticus. This is a medical term used to describe a medical emergency in which a seizure persists for an extended period of time, defined as being either continuous clinical and electrographic seizure activity for more than30 minutes or two or more sequential seizures without the individual regaining consciousness between seizures.
This can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as an underlying illness, medication toxicity, a brain tumor, metabolic disorders, or other neurological problems. Without prompt and proper medical attention, status epilepticus can be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any prolonged or successive seizures or if you suspect that a loved one is in status epilepticus.
How common is death from seizures?
Death due to seizures is relatively uncommon compared to other causes of death. According to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 0. 46 deaths from seizure disorders per 100,000 people in the United States in 2017.
This rate is much lower than some of the other major causes of death in the United States, such as heart disease and cancer. While it is important to note that seizure related deaths can happen, the overall risk of dying from seizures is low.
In addition to the overall low rate of death from seizures, it is also important to note that certain individuals may be at a higher risk of dying from seizures than the general population. Factors such as the type of seizure disorder and any underlying health conditions can increase someone’s risk of death due to seizures.
It is important for those with seizure disorders to be under the care of a neurologist in order to reduce their risk of death due to seizures.
How does your body feel during a seizure?
During a seizure, your body may feel very tense, stiff, and rigid. You can experience uncontrollable and intense shaking, jerking, twitching, or trembling, usually in the arms and legs. You may also experience convulsions in other parts of the body.
You may feel pressure, heaviness, and warmth in some parts of your body, as well as sensations of burning or pins and needles. You may experience difficulty speaking and/or difficulty understanding what is said to you during a seizure.
You might even experience a sudden loss of consciousness, experience a change in your level of alertness, or become unresponsive. You may drool or have difficulty breathing, and your heart rate and blood pressure may fluctuate.
You may also experience hallucinations, strange smells or tastes, and altered perceptions of time or space. For some, a seizure may last for minutes or can even be prolonged and last for hours. During a seizure, your body can become very weak and you may feel confused and disoriented once the seizure ends.
What does a seizure feel like in your head?
Having a seizure can feel a lot of different ways depending on the type of seizure you are having. Some people describe a seizure feeling like an intense wave of pressure in their head or a flash of light that can cause confusion and disorientation.
Others may experience a feeling of dizziness or falling, which may be accompanied by strong emotions such as fear or a racing heart rate. Some people may also experience sensations such as numbness, tingling, or a ringing in their ears.
During a seizure, the individual may have trouble understanding what is happening around them, and they may have difficulty speaking, walking, or finding their way around. This can be a frightening experience and can be very disorienting.
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms or notice that someone else is having a seizure.
What it feels like to have a seizure?
Having a seizure can be a terrifying and confusing experience. They can range from a brief interruption in one’s awareness or muscle control, to a more intense and lengthy convulsion, while experiencing a multitude of symptoms.
During a seizure, individuals may experience a sense of confusion and disorientation, muscle spasms and jerking, stiffness of the body, temporary loss of consciousness, an alteration in senses of sight, hearing, and smell, a tingling sensation on the skin, a feeling of unease, or panic.
It is difficult to explain exactly what it feels like to have a seizure, as they can vary widely from person to person. Some people may describe feeling like they are traveling through time and space, while others may feel like they are being pulled out of one’s body and experience a sense of coldness, weightlessness or dizziness.
They may also hallucinate and see, hear or feel things that are not real.
The emotional effects of having a seizure can also vary widely and may include fear, confusion, distress, frustration, or embarrassment. Recovering from the seizure can be difficult and those who experience them commonly feel tired, disoriented and may experience headaches, nausea or aching muscles.
It is important to take care of one’s self following a seizure and for best effects, individuals should rest and avoid any stressful activities. It is also encouraged to keep a seizure diary to record each occurrence as well as any preceding factors that may have triggered them.
Medical assistance should also be sought to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
How long can a seizure last before brain damage?
The length of time a seizure can last before causing brain damage depends on the type of seizure being experienced. Grand mal or tonic-clonic seizures, which are the most severe type of seizure and involve uncontrollable muscle contractions, typically last from 30 seconds to two minutes.
If the seizure lasts longer than five to ten minutes, medical help should be sought, as there is a risk of permanent brain damage. However, with treatment, this risk is very small. Focal or partial seizures, which involve only one part of the brain, can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and usually require medical attention if they last longer than five minutes.
Absence (petit mal) seizures, which involve a brief lapse in consciousness, usually last for a few seconds and brain damage is not usually a concern. Occasionally, a person can experience clusters of seizures, which means they may have several seizures in a short period of time.
In this case, medical attention should be sought and the person monitored, as there is an increased risk of brain damage.
