It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate the signs of a stroke versus those of a seizure.
Both can cause sudden confusion accompanied by the loss of muscle control and speech.
What Are Strokes and Seizures?
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Both can cause the brain to stop functioning properlyoften in strikingly similar ways but for entirely different reasons.
Severe cases can lead to death.
Symptoms of stroke vary based on where the blockage or bleeding occurred.
Symptoms of seizure can vary from one person to the next.
Can Strokes Cause Seizures?
Even with a severe stroke, the initial symptoms can be easily mistaken for a seizure.
If symptoms are persistent and unilateral, you are more likely than not to be having a stroke.
Diagnosis
Many of the tests used to diagnose stroke are used for seizures as well.
Moreover, strokes are invariably regarded as medical emergencies in need of immediate intervention, while seizures rarely are.
Blood pressure control is also vital.
A craniectomy may also be needed.
Once a person is fully stabilized, stroke rehabilitation may be started.
This may involvephysical therapy,occupational therapy,speech therapy, andcognitive therapyas needed.
Seizure Treatment
Medications calledanticonvulsantsare the first-line treatment for the control of focal and generalized seizures.
Different surgeries can also help stop seizures by destroying or removing brain cells that trigger symptoms.
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Coutts SB.Diagnosis and management of transient ischemic attack.Continuum (Minneap Minn).
Johnson EL.Seizures and epilepsy.Med Clin North Am.
2021;52(1):348-350. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.033231
