Children’s health: convulsions without fever


        CHILDREN’S HEALTH: CONVULSIONS WITHOUT FEVER

Convulsions that occur when a child has no fever may be caused by many conditions. Epilepsy is the best-known cause. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes repeated attacks or seizures. There are several forms of epilepsy, which are identified by the type of seizure experienced. Some forms of epilepsy cause convulsions (jerking movements or spasms of the muscles). Other types, however, do not cause convulsions. Therefore the term "seizure" is more properly used to describe an attack of epilepsy. The cause of most types of epilepsy is not known.

Signs and Symptoms
Epilepsy must be diagnosed by a doctor. However, signs of possible epilepsy can be seen in the typical behavior that occurs in different types of seizures.
In a generalized convulsive seizure, the child suddenly loses consciousness and may cry out as the seizure starts. The body stiffens, and the child may fall. Muscle spasms cause jerking or wild thrashing movements. The child may lose control of the bladder and bowels. When spasms end, the child may fall into a deep sleep and will usually be confused and sleepy upon awakening. Sometimes there is a warning sensation (aura) before this type of seizure begins, including sleepiness, headache, yawning, or tingling in the arms and legs.
Generalized non-convulsive or absence seizures are so different from major convulsive seizures that they are often not recognized as epilepsy - or may not even be noticed. The child may simply stare into space. There may be rapid blinking or fluttering of the eyes. The child remains conscious yet may be totally unaware that the seizure is occurring. If it is not recognized as a seizure, it may be mistaken for a learning disability, not paying attention, or simple daydreaming.
In complex partial seizures the child remains conscious, but may sit motionless or may make repeated or unusual movements.
In simple partial seizures the child is conscious and may simply feel tingling in the hands and feet. The child may also perceive bad odors, see flashing lights, or speak unintelligibly.

Home Care
Call your doctor any time a child has convulsions.
Of course, you must immediately care for the child during the convulsions. The most important home care is to prevent your child from injury during the thrashing phase of convulsions. Do not put your fingers in the child's mouth.
If epilepsy is diagnosed, the doctor will give instructions for caring for the child at home. Until the seizures are controlled, discourage the child from climbing high ladders or tall trees. Do not allow the child to swim alone. Otherwise, your child can and should live a normal life with only minor changes in activities.

Precaution
• If you find your child unconscious, do not assume that your child has been made unconscious by a fall. Do consider the possibility that epilepsy has led to a fall and unconsciousness.

Medical Treatment
Your doctor will perform physical and neurological (nervous system) examinations. The doctor may order a variety of laboratory or diagnostic tests. A number of prescription medications that control seizures are available. The doctor may order blood tests to determine the amount and type of drug to be used. In difficult cases, your doctor may recommend consultation with a neurologist (a specialist in diseases of the nervous system).

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GENERAL HEALTH
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