Seizures

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden and uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. When you have a seizure, you’ll probably feel confused or lose consciousness, your arms and legs may spasm, and you may feel anxious or scared.

Epilepsy, the condition of having multiple or regular seizures, is the most common and best known as the cause of seizures, but many people who aren’t epileptic have seizures as well. Seizures can also occur in the wake of a stroke or a head injury or due to an infection like meningitis.

When should I see a doctor?

When you experience a seizure for the first time, seek medical attention immediately, as seizures can be a sign of serious health conditions. Other reasons to see a doctor include:

• A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
• Not regaining consciousness or not breathing after seizure stops
• A second seizure that immediately follows the first
• If you have a seizure while pregnant
• If you have a seizure after an injury, while running a fever, or after experiencing heat exhaustion.

While many seizures are not a sign of anything urgent, it’s better to be safe than sorry since they can also be a sign of serious health issues.

What are the traditional treatments for seizures?

Traditional medicine has a limited ability to treat recurring seizures or epilepsy, but typically uses anticonvulsant medications taken by themselves or in combination with each other. These can be effective, but they are not for everyone and have a long list of side effects:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or double vision
• Confusion or loss of coordination
• Liver damage
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

If medication is ineffective, sometimes people pursue other, more invasive treatment options, including surgery, nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation.

How can medical cannabis help with seizures?

While medical cannabis can’t cure epilepsy, it can have a drastic impact on how seizures affect you and your quality of life. At the root of its efficacy are two chemical compounds known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC is effective at limiting the onset of seizures and at lessening their effects once they’ve begun. THC can be taken in a number of ways, and while it has few side effects, its psychoactive properties mean that it’s not right for everyone.

CBD, on the other hand, is as just effective while possessing no psychoactive properties. This means that children or people on the go or at work can get the benefits of CBD treatment without the “buzz” that people have long associated with cannabis.

For more information about using CBD and THC to relieve the effects of seizures, call the friendly staff at our office today or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment.