What is Seizure and Syncope?

Seizure or fits activity happens in up to twenty percent of episodes of syncope (temporary loss of consciousness). Though some symptoms of both the conditions are similar, the two terms are entirely different from each other.

Seizure

A seizure takes place because of unusual and abnormal electrical activity inside the cerebral region (the brain). Sometimes, it happens and goes unnoticed. Or, in some severe cases, it results in cramps, dizziness, shaking of body uncontrollably, trembling, unconsciousness (oblivion) and convulsions, and muscle contractions.

Syncope

Syncope is defined as the partial or temporary loss of consciousness. It usually results because of insufficient flow of blood to the brain due to sudden drop in the blood pressure. The initial symptoms include; vomiting, sweating, confusion and blurred vision

Difference between Seizure and Syncope

Definition

Seizure

Seizure is defined as a sudden illness, especially an epileptic fit or stroke.

Syncope

It is defined as a transient or sudden loss of consciousness

Symptoms

Seizure

• Loss of mobility
• Unconsciousness
• Uncertainty and confusion
• Loss of alteration of basic senses (smell, sound, look, taste, or touch)
• Incontinence
• A staring spell
• Change in behavior and emotions
• Numb and prickling sensation
• Trembling and shaking
• Muscle contractions and cramps
• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Postictal flaccidity and drowsiness
• Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, fear, or déjà vu

Seizure is in progress includes symptoms like:

• Biting your tongue
• Making unusual noises, such as grunting
• Clenching your teeth
• Losing consciousness, followed by confusion
• Losing control of bowel function and bladder
• Uncontrollable muscle spasms
• drooling or frothing at the mouth
• Development of a strange taste in your mouth
• Rapid and sudden eye movements
• losing control of bladder or bowel function

Syncope

• Feeling of dizziness
• Irregular heart beat
• Wooziness
• Vertigo, or a feeling that the room is moving
• Felling of black out
• Feeling of drowsiness and grogginess
• Feeling of lightheadedness
• Temporary drop in blood flow to the brain
• Fainting, especially after exercising or eating
• Feeling weak, fatigued, unsteady when standing.
• Changes in vision, for example having tunnel vision or seeing spots

Causes

Seizure

• Epilepsy
• Meningitis and encephalitis (kinds of brain infection)
• Drug abuse
• Medication withdrawal, like Xanax
• Withdrawal from narcotics, or alcohol
• Electric shock
• Tumor in brain
• Abnormal glucose or sodium levels in the blood
• Use of narcotics, such as heroin and cocaine 
• Injury to brain that happens during childbirth or labor
• Brain problems that occur before birth (congenital brain defects)
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Repetitive flashing lights or sounds, as in video games
• Asthma drugs and medications like antipsychotics

Syncope

• Pregnancy
• Exhaustion
• Strenuous physical activities, such as lifting a heavy weight
• Dehydration
• Dilated blood vessels and low blood pressure
• Stenosis, or a blockage of the heart valves
• Extreme tension and stress
• Straining, such as to have a bowel movement
• Extreme fear or pain
• Having blood drawn
• Arrhythmias, or an abnormal heartbeat

Types

Seizure

• Tonic seizures
• Absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal)
• Drop attacks (Atonic seizures)
• Grand mal (Tonic – clonic or convulsive seizures)
• Clonic seizures
• Myoclonic seizures

Syncope

• Vasovagal syncope (also termed as cardio-neurogenic syncope)
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) (The Autonomic Nervous System automatically controls many functions of the body, such as bladder control, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure
• Situational syncope
• Postural syncope (also termed as postural hypotension)
• Neurologic syncope

After effects

Seizure

After seizure, the person may feel sleepy, experience headache and heaviness and may be confused

Syncope

After syncope, the person feels lethargy but he does not feel confused

EMS Vitals

Seizure

Usually BP and HR elevated (rare types of temporal lobe seizure can cause bradycardia)

Syncope

Could have low BP and HR

Warning

Seizure

>50% have some aura, usually hard to describe, like smell or a déjà vu.

Syncope

Darkened and blurred vision, lightheadedness, feeling of faintness

Nature of trigger

Seizure

Range of rare triggers and flashing lights is best known

Syncope

Differs between types: pain, standing, emotions for VVS; specific trigger for situational syncope; standing for OH

Treatment

Seizure

• Medicines termed as AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs) like sodium valproate, lamotrigine, Carbamazepine, topiramate, levetiracetam, ethosuximide, oxcarbazepine
• Seizures causing parts in the brain are removed by a small surgery
• Keto diet that can help control seizures.

Syncope

• Pharmacologic or mechanical restraints
• A drug termed as fludrocortisone acetate
• Glucose administration
• Temporary pacing or defibrillation
• Insertion of an electrical pacemaker through surgery to regulate the heartbeat 
• Pharmacologic circulatory support

Summary

The points of difference between Seizure and Syncope have been summarized as below:

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