Grand Mal Seizures: Treatments

How are grand mal seizures treated?

A single grand mal seizure generally does not require treatment, but prompt medical attention should be obtained to ensure that epilepsy does not develop. For recurrent grand mal seizures, there are generally three treatments used: medication, surgery, and electrical stimulation. Other treatments may help you cope with the complications of grand mal seizures.

Common treatments for grand mal seizures

Treatments for grand mal seizures that do not spontaneously resolve include:

• Antiepileptic drugs to reduce abnormal electrical activity in the brain
• Brain surgery to remove the epileptic focus (location in the brain where seizures start)
• Electrical stimulation to interfere with abnormal electrical activity

Other treatments for grand mal seizures

In addition to treatments designed to interfere with abnormal electrical activity, treatment for grand mal seizures may include:

• Changes in diet, especially in children with such conditions as phenylketonuria (inability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine)
• Social or behavioral therapy to help deal with the complications of seizures and the changes in lifestyle that they produce

Complementary treatments

Some complementary treatments may help some people in their efforts to deal with grand mal seizures and their treatments. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for full medical care.

Complementary treatments may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Yoga

What are the potential complications of grand mal seizures?

Grand mal seizures may occur just once, in which case complications are limited. Recurrent seizures, however, may have a profound impact on your life. Complications of untreated or poorly controlled grand mal seizures can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of grand mal seizures include:

• Absenteeism from work or school
• Brain damage
• Damage to your tongue or mouth due to biting during seizure
• Injury during seizure
• Pulmonary aspiration (inhaling blood, vomited material, or other substances into lungs)
• Status epilepticus (recurrent seizures without recovery)
• Withdrawal or depression

References:

NINDS epilepsy information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/epilepsy.htm. Accessed May 4, 2011.

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure. PubMed Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001715/. Accessed May 4, 2011.