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Convulsiones - Overview

Definición:

Las convulsiones se presentan cuando el cuerpo de una persona se sacude de manera rápida e incontrolable. Durante las convulsiones, los músculos de la persona se contraen y se relajan en forma repetitiva.

A menudo los términos "convulsión" y "crisis epiléptica" se utilizan en forma indistinta, aunque existen muchos tipos de esta última, algunos de los cuales tienen síntomas sutiles o leves en lugar de convulsiones. Las crisis epilépticas de todos los tipos son causadas por actividad eléctrica desorganizada y repentina en el cerebro.

Ver también:

Consideraciones generales:

Puede ser perturbador presenciar convulsiones pero, a pesar de su apariencia, la mayoría de las convulsiones o crisis epilépticas son relativamente inofensivas. Generalmente, duran de 30 segundos a 2 minutos. Sin embargo, si se presenta una crisis epiléptica prolongada o si se presentan múltiples crisis sucesivamente sin que la persona recupere el conocimiento entre una y otra, se trata de una emergencia médica.

Si una persona tiene convulsiones o crisis epilépticas recurrentes y no se puede identificar ninguna causa, se dice que esa persona tiene epilepsia. La epilepsia generalmente puede controlarse bien con medicamentos.

Preste atención a:

  • Cuál de los brazos o piernas está temblando
  • Si hay algún cambio en el estado de conciencia
  • Si hay pérdida de orina o heces
  • Si los ojos se mueven en alguna dirección

Causas:

  • Reviewed last on: 7/22/2009
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Pollack CV. Seizures. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 100.

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