How to distinguish between stroke and seizure
A stroke is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain, whereas a seizure is not. Many people die from a stroke, but very few die from a seizure.
Strokes and seizures are both serious and affect brain function. However, the causes and the extent of their effects on brain health are different. A stroke is caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain, while a seizure is caused by an increase in electrical activity in the brain. Additionally, a stroke can permanently affect a person's thinking and muscle control, while the effects of a seizure are usually temporary. Here are the differences that help distinguish strokes from seizures.
Concept
A stroke is brain damage caused by an interruption of blood supply to an area of the brain, either due to a blockage in an artery or bleeding into brain tissue after a blood vessel bursts. When an area of the brain is damaged by a stroke, a person may lose some of the physical or mental abilities that are normally controlled by the damaged area.
A seizure is a sudden increase in electrical activity in the brain, often affecting how a person appears or acts for a short time. It can cause uncontrollable body movements or changes in a person's consciousness.
Relationship
With a stroke, the damaged area of the brain forms scar tissue, and this tissue can start to produce abnormal electrical signals. This electrical activity can trigger seizures based on its location. So, brain damage from a stroke can lead to seizures, epilepsy. In most cases, seizures do not affect blood flow to the brain, and therefore, seizures do not cause strokes.
 |
Do not move someone who is showing signs of convulsions or epilepsy. Photo:Shutterstock
Reason
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is much more common than hemorrhagic stroke. It occurs due to a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. The blockage may be due to a blood clot in the artery or a blockage in one of the carotid arteries. These arteries carry blood from the sides of the neck to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. As a result, blood leaks into the surrounding tissues. The flow of blood stops at the point where the artery ruptures.
The main cause of seizures is high blood pressure. Other causes include heat, alcohol or drug abuse, snake bites, and epilepsy.
Risk factors
The main risk factors for stroke are heart disease, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Other risk factors for stroke include diabetes, carotid artery disease, older age, and a family history of stroke.
While epilepsy is a risk factor for seizures, having a family history of seizure disorders can also increase your risk of having seizures. Seizures can also occur in people who have had a head injury, and strokes can also trigger seizures.
Possibility of death
Death from a stroke is likely to occur because the impact of a stroke on the blood vessels and brain stem is quite large. According to experts, about 11% of people who have a stroke do not survive. Meanwhile, it is very rare for a seizure to lead to death. However, physical trauma that occurs during a seizure can lead to serious injury or death. For example, if a person has a seizure while swimming, they can drown. If a person has a seizure while driving, they can have an accident...
Treatment possibilities
There are many medications available to help prevent strokes in people with risk factors, and most of the medications used to prevent strokes are blood thinners. There are no current medications that can reverse the brain damage caused by a stroke, although much research is focused on finding medications that can help lessen the effects. Researchers are now focusing on the rehabilitation aspect, as it has been quite helpful in restoring some of the functions lost due to a stroke.
When it comes to treating seizures, there are several common anticonvulsant medications available today, which work by inhibiting or slowing down the chemical processes that nerve cells use to communicate. Experts warn that using alcohol or drugs while taking anticonvulsants can interfere with the medication's action and cause seizures.
If you think someone may be having a stroke or seizure, it is best to contact medical help and try to stay with them until help arrives. People who are having a stroke need to get to hospital as soon as possible, as the golden time for stroke treatment is crucial. Do not try to move or give any medication to someone who is suspected of having a stroke or seizure.