Yes, seizures can come in clusters. Doctors refer to this condition as seizure clusters, which are more serious than normal seizures.
The term seizure clusters is used when three or more seizures that occur within 24 hours (or within six hours as defined in some studies).
Other terms for seizure clusters include
- Acute repetitive seizures
- Serial seizures
- Crescendo seizures
- Seizure flurries
- Recurrent seizures
- Cyclical seizures
What causes seizure clusters?
Poorly controlled epilepsy is one of the most common causes of seizure clusters. One example is refractory epilepsy when the patients fail to respond to two or more medications for 18 months straight. These patients continue to have one seizure every month despite therapy.
Seizure clusters are more likely to begin when seizures begin on one side of the brain. This condition is known as focal onset seizures. They can also occur when seizures begin on both sides of the brain, which is known as generalized seizures.
Seizure clusters may also begin in patients with a history of head injury and infection of the brain.
Nearly 25 percent of patients with epilepsy will suffer seizure clusters at least once in their life.
Certain disorders, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and glycogen storage diseases in children, may also cause seizure clusters.
What triggers seizure clusters?
The source of the development of seizure clusters is not known in about 30 percent of people with seizure clusters. In others, any of the following factors can be a trigger
How do doctors treat seizure clusters?
If the seizure trigger is known, it is better if the patient tries to avoid that factor. Doctors treat seizure clusters the same way they treat epilepsy. The medications to treat seizure clusters are divided into two groups
- Anti-epileptic drugs: These drugs do not cure epilepsy, but are effective at keeping it under control by acting on a chemical in the brain that helps a seizure develop. The same drugs that are used to treat seizure clusters are also used for maintenance therapy. They are given daily in pill or liquid form.
- Rescue drugs: These drugs belong to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. These drugs are administered immediately to a patient with seizure clusters. They can be given in any of the following forms
What are the risks of seizure clusters?
Patients with seizure clusters visit the emergency room more often. They should remember to take their anti-epileptic drugs on time and never miss a dose to avoid getting seizure clusters. Seizure clusters can cause serious problems that include
- Status epilepticus: This is a long seizure, lasting for five minutes or more. Seizures may occur one after the other and the patient may not be normal in between. If it lasts for more than 30 minutes, there are high chances of brain injury.
- Impact on quality of life: Seizure clusters can harm the emotional wellbeing, daily functioning and productivity of the patient.
- Mental health issues: The patient may lose touch with reality (psychosis).
- Life-threatening conditions.
Epilepsy Foundation
Seizure
Top Do Seizures Come in Clusters Related Articles
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are a class of drugs prescribed to treat headaches, insomnia, and seizures. Examples of barbiturates include belladonna and phenobarbital (Donnatal), butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine (Esgic, Fioricet), butalbital/aspirin/caffeine (Fiorinal Ascomp, Fortabs), butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal).
Can the Vagus Nerve Cause Seizures?
The vagus nerve is an important pathway to the brain in addition to helping to control seizures. Stimulation of the vagus nerve leads to the discharge of electrical energy into a wide area of the brain, disturbing the abnormal brain activity that causes seizures. The vagus nerve is used to treat seizures that do not respond to medications.
Seizures Quiz
Do you know the difference between seizures and epilepsy? What are the types of seizures? Take the Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz to test your knowledge and learn about this complex disorder of the brain.Epilepsy and Seizures: How to Treat?
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where brain activities are abnormal, causing more than one or recurrent episodes of seizures. Most cases of seizures can be managed conservatively with medication and supportive treatments.
Epilepsy Slideshow
Learn about epilepsy symptoms and treatment for this seizure condition. Discover the definition of epilepsy, how epilepsy is diagnosed, epilepsy medications, and how epilepsy dogs help people with seizures.
What Is the First Aid for Seizures?
Some seizures are caused by brain diseases, tumors, genetic conditions, or other illnesses or disorders that can be diagnosed (symptomatic seizures). When the cause for the seizures is unknown, they are referred to as idiopathic or cryptogenic seizures. If a person has a seizure, loosen the clothing around his/her neck and remove sharp objects around the person to prevent injury. After the seizure, lay the person on his/her side to maintain an open airway. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if the person cannot be awakened after the seizure, call 911. Learn common seizure triggers, including foods or medications, hormones, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, or sensitivity to light.gabapentin
Gabapentin is a drug prescribed for the treatment of seizure disorders, nerve damage from shingles and postherptic neuralgia. Off label uses of gabapentin include treatment for substance abuse withdrawal, hiccups, RLS (restless legs syndrome), headaches, diabetic neuropathy, hot flashes, and fibromyalgia, hyperhydrosis. Gabapentin is not an opioid narcotic, but it does have signs and symptoms associated with drug misuse, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms of opioids like sweating, anxiety, muscle pain, insomnia, and goosebumps (philoerections).
How Do You Stop Multiple Seizures?
Seizures are a medical emergency. Whether the seizure is a first-time onset or a recurring episode, it is advisable to dial 911 and call for help. A group of drugs called benzodiazepines is usually administered to stop multiple seizures.Lyrica
Lyrica is a drug prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or post neuralgia; partial onset seizures in adults; and fibromyalgia. Side effects include blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), weight gain, fatigue (tiredness), constipation, increased appetite, nausea, and intestinal gas.
Seizures: Symptoms and Types
Seizures occur when there is an abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain and are divided into two categories: generalized and partial. Learn about the symptoms of different types of seizures, and check out the center below for more medical references on seizures, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Seizures
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a technique used to treat epilepsy. It involves implanting a pacemaker-like device that generates pulses of electricity to stimulate the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is one of the 12 cranial nerves, the paired nerves that attach to the undersurface of the brain and relay information to and from the brain.
What Are the Different Types of Seizures?
A seizure is a sudden change in the brain's normal electrical activity. During a seizure, brain cells fire uncontrollably than their normal rate, temporarily affecting the way a person behaves, moves, thinks, or feels. Recurrent seizures are called epilepsy. Seizures are usually categorized into three types depending on their onset.
Can a Person With Epilepsy Live a Normal Life?
Can a person with epilepsy live a normal life? What is epilepsy and what causes it? Learn the signs and symptoms of epilepsy, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
What Are the Symptoms of Nervous System Cancer?
Nervous system or central nervous system (CNS) cancer can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms, which can vary. These symptoms include headaches, seizures, changes in mental function, vision problems, weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, changes in behavior or personality, balance problems, pain, nausea and vomiting, changes in vision or hearing, swelling in the face or neck, and loss of appetite.
What Does the ASPA Gene Do?
ASPA (aspartoacylase) is the gene that codes for a protein called aspartoacylase. Aspartoacylase is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of a molecule called N-acetylaspartate (NAA), which is found in high concentrations in the brain. Mutations in the ASPA gene can lead to a deficiency in aspartoacylase activity, which can cause a rare genetic disorder called Canavan disease. Children with Canavan disease typically have a severe intellectual disability and may have problems with movement, feeding, and breathing.What Is a Cluster Seizure?
Cluster seizures are episodes of increased seizure activity in which two or more seizures occur in 24 hours. Multiple seizures occur one after the other typically with a recovery period between each seizure and are different from a person’s usual seizure pattern.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With Coffin-Siris Syndrome?
Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) is a rare hereditary condition noticeable from birth (congenital). Most people with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) live relatively long lives. The lifespan of affected individuals varies widely depending on the person’s level of physical and mental development and the severity of the illness. Medical care increases the quality of life and lifetime of people with CSS.