“Seizure” vs “Convulsion”

Seizures and convulsions have been used interchangeably in the present setup most likely because of the fact that both occurrences result in similar manifestations. Firstly, seizures happen because of some abnormalities in the brain’s electrical impulses. Therefore, there is some degree of either abnormal or too many neural discharges. In this connection, the disruption of the said impulses can happen in several areas of the brain which leads to varied seizure classifications.

Each type of seizure has their distinct symptoms and one of which is “convulsion.” On top of “convulsion,” other seizure symptoms can include an abnormal boom or descent in mood or emotions as well as visual disturbances. Victims may even end up staring at a blank space for an extended period of time.

“Convulsion” is actually considered a medical condition in itself. However, it is also a symptom of epileptic seizure that manifests as a series of extreme jerky movements of the muscles that repeatedly contract and then relax. In a convulsion episode, the muscles contract abnormally because of rapid firing or brain activity that usually transpires during a seizure episode. This is the reason why many have come to associate convulsions to be the same as seizures. If this symptom happens during an active seizure, medical professionals have observed that the symptoms lasts for 30 seconds to 1 full minute.

The tonic-clonic seizure, also called the grand mal seizure, leaves the victim unconscious which is then followed by convulsive episodes. During this time, the victim can no longer control his urination because of the momentary absence of bladder control. The second type, myoclonic seizures, is characterized by intermittent or periodic jerky movements like convulsions which can vary from mild to severe. In a clonic seizure, the third type, the jerky movements are more repetitive in nature. The convulsions are almost like that of the tonic-clonic seizure though there’s no loss of consciousness in the pure clonic type. Other seizure types that do not involve convulsions are absence seizures, tonic seizures, and atonic seizures.

Summary:

1.When a person is having a seizure, it is not always true that he will experience convulsions. The same is true when a person is experiencing convulsions wherein it is not always the case that he is having seizures.
2.Seizures involve the abnormal or rapid neuronal activity of the brain while convulsions are characterized by abnormal or involuntary muscle contractions or jerky muscle movements.
3.A convulsion is often the first diagnosis given to a patient until the time that a seizure disorder has been established.

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