Fits (Seizures): Symptoms, Causes, Types, First Aid & Treatment
A fit, also called a seizure, happens when there is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can look very different: some cause staring or brief changes in awareness, while others cause stiffening, jerking, falling or loss of consciousness.
What is a fit? A fit is a seizure caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A person can have a single seizure without having epilepsy.
What are common symptoms? Symptoms may include staring, altered awareness, sudden falling, stiffening, jerking movements, unusual sensations or confusion after the episode.
Emergency help: Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure reaching 5 minutes, repeated seizures without recovery, or breathing problems. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
What should you do during a seizure? Keep the person safe, protect the head, clear nearby hazards, time the seizure and stay with them. Do not restrain them and do not put anything in their mouth.
Fits at a Glance
One episode is not always epilepsy
A seizure may occur because of a temporary or identifiable trigger. Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving a tendency to recurrent seizures.
Symptoms vary
Some seizures cause staring or altered awareness, while others cause stiffening, jerking, falling or loss of consciousness.
First aid matters
Keep the person safe, time the seizure and never put objects, food or medicine into the mouth during the seizure.
What Are Fits or Seizures?
A seizure is a temporary episode caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The way it appears depends on which brain networks are involved. Some seizures may be obvious, while others may involve only a brief change in awareness or unusual sensations.
Fainting, some heart-rhythm problems and functional (dissociative) seizures may resemble epileptic seizures. Functional seizures are real, involuntary episodes that need appropriate assessment and treatment; they are not deliberate behaviour. A witness account or safely recorded video may help diagnosis, but first aid takes priority.
The term fit is commonly used for a seizure, but a seizure does not automatically mean that a person has epilepsy. A first seizure needs medical assessment to determine its possible cause and the risk of another episode.
Types of Fits and Seizures
The examples below include broad seizure categories, specific seizure types and fever-related seizures. Absence, myoclonic and atonic seizures can belong to generalized epilepsy syndromes; these are not all separate categories at the same level.
Focal seizures
These start in a particular area of the brain. Awareness may be preserved or impaired, and symptoms can include unusual movements, sensations, emotions or behaviour.
Generalized seizures
These involve networks on both sides of the brain. Tonic-clonic seizures can cause loss of awareness, stiffening and rhythmic jerking.
Absence seizures
Brief periods of reduced awareness or staring can occur, often without a fall or large body movements.
Myoclonic seizures
These can cause brief, sudden muscle jerks.
Atonic seizures
These can cause a sudden loss of muscle tone and may result in a fall.
Febrile seizures
These occur in some young children with fever and do not automatically mean epilepsy. A first episode requires medical assessment. Fever medicines may improve comfort but do not reliably prevent another febrile seizure; give nothing by mouth during the event.
Symptoms of Fits
Seizure symptoms depend on the type and brain area involved. Possible signs include:
Sudden jerking
Rhythmic or repeated jerking movements can occur in generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Muscle stiffening
The arms, legs or body may suddenly become stiff.
Staring or reduced awareness
A person may stare blankly and be unable to respond normally for a short period.
Sudden fall
Loss of awareness or muscle tone can cause a person to fall.
Unusual sensations
Some people experience an unusual smell or taste, tingling, visual changes, fear or déjà vu before or during a focal seizure.
Confusion afterward
Confusion, tiredness, headache or sleepiness may occur during the recovery period.
Causes of Fits
A seizure may be provoked by an acute medical problem or occur as part of epilepsy. Possible causes include severe low glucose, electrolyte disturbance, brain infection, stroke, injury and alcohol withdrawal. Fever-associated seizures occur in some young children; fever with a seizure in an adult must not be assumed to be a simple febrile seizure. Sometimes no clear cause is found.
Low blood sugar
Severe hypoglycaemia can affect brain function and may trigger a seizure.
Stroke
Damage to brain tissue from a stroke can cause seizures in some people.
Head injury
Traumatic brain injury can increase seizure risk.
Brain infection
Some infections affecting the brain can trigger seizures.
Electrolyte imbalance
Significant abnormalities in sodium or other electrolytes can disturb brain function.
Alcohol or withdrawal
Heavy alcohol use and withdrawal can both be associated with seizures.
Fits vs Epilepsy: What Is the Difference?
Fit / seizure
A seizure is an individual event caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may occur once or recur depending on the underlying cause.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by a tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures. Not everyone who has one seizure has epilepsy.
What to Do During a Fit: First Aid
Do
- Stay calm and stay with the person.
- Move nearby dangerous objects away if possible.
- Protect the head with something soft.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- Time the seizure from start to finish.
- When safe, gently turn the person onto their side with the mouth angled downward; do not force or restrain the movements. After shaking stops, check breathing and keep them on their side while recovering.
- Stay with them until they are awake and recovering normally. Reassure them and explain what happened.
- If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally after the shaking stops, call emergency services and start CPR, following dispatcher instructions; use an AED if available.
Do not
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop the movements.
- Do not put fingers, a spoon, cloth or any other object in the mouth.
- Do not give food, water or oral medicines until the person is fully alert.
- Do not attempt mouth-to-mouth breathing during active convulsions. Check breathing afterwards and start CPR if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally.
- Do not force the jaw open, give water or sugar to an unconscious person, or move them unless there is an immediate danger.
These first-aid steps are consistent with NHS and CDC seizure first-aid guidance.
When Is a Seizure an Emergency?
Get emergency medical help if it is the person's first seizure, a seizure reaches 5 minutes (or lasts longer than their usual seizure), another seizure starts before the person recovers, the person has trouble breathing or waking afterward, has been seriously injured, or the seizure happens in water.
Known epilepsy: Follow their written seizure action plan if available. Give prescribed rescue medicine only if trained and authorised to do so, using the specified route and dose. Do not improvise with tablets in the mouth. The plan may require action before five minutes.
Pregnancy and diabetes: CDC guidance also recommends emergency help when a person having a seizure is pregnant or has diabetes and loses consciousness.
How Are Fits Diagnosed?
After immediate medical assessment of a first suspected seizure, arrange urgent specialist follow-up. NICE recommends assessment within two weeks by a clinician experienced in first seizures; children need an appropriate paediatric specialist. This follow-up must not delay emergency care.
Doctors usually begin by taking a detailed history of what happened before, during and after the event. If possible, information from someone who witnessed the episode can be very helpful. Depending on the situation, evaluation may include:
Neurological examination
The doctor assesses awareness, strength, reflexes, sensation, coordination and other neurological findings.
EEG
An electroencephalogram records brain electrical activity and can support classification. A normal routine EEG does not exclude epilepsy; further tests depend on the history and examination.
MRI or CT
Brain imaging may be used to look for structural causes when clinically indicated.
Blood tests
Testing can help identify glucose, electrolyte, infection or other medical abnormalities.
ECG
A 12-lead ECG is recommended after a first suspected seizure to help identify heart-related causes that can mimic a seizure.
Other tests
Additional testing, including genetic or lumbar-puncture studies, is considered only when clinically appropriate.
Treatment for Fits and Epilepsy
Treatment depends on the cause, seizure type, recurrence risk, age, other medical conditions and the individual's response to therapy.
Anti-seizure medicines
These are the main treatment for epilepsy and are selected according to seizure type and individual factors.
Treat the underlying cause
If a seizure is caused by low blood sugar, infection, electrolyte abnormality or another medical condition, that cause needs appropriate treatment.
Surgery
Selected people with drug-resistant epilepsy may be evaluated for epilepsy surgery.
Nerve stimulation
Devices such as vagus nerve stimulation may be considered for selected patients whose seizures remain difficult to control.
Specialist diets
A medically supervised ketogenic diet can be useful for some people, particularly selected children with difficult-to-control seizures.
Do not stop medicines suddenly
If you take anti-seizure medicine, do not change the dose or stop it abruptly without speaking with your treating clinician.
How Can Seizures Be Reduced or Prevented?
Take prescribed medicine regularly
Missing anti-seizure doses can increase seizure risk.
Know your triggers
For some people, sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol, flashing lights or other factors may increase seizure risk.
Keep a seizure diary
Record the date, duration, symptoms, possible triggers and recovery pattern to help your doctor identify patterns.
Follow a safety plan
Tell family members what to do during a seizure and keep emergency instructions available.
Prioritize sleep
Regular sleep can be an important part of seizure self-management for people who have sleep-related triggers.
Attend follow-up appointments
Ongoing review helps assess seizure control, medicine effects and safety concerns.
Living Safely With Epilepsy
People with epilepsy can often lead active lives with appropriate treatment and safety planning. Practical measures include informing close family or colleagues about seizure first aid, carrying medical identification when appropriate, taking medicines as prescribed and discussing activities such as swimming, driving, cooking near heat and operating machinery with a clinician.
If pregnant or planning pregnancy, discuss your medicines and folic acid needs with your specialist. Do not stop anti-seizure treatment on your own. Ask about a written emergency plan, medicine side effects and seizure-related risks, including sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and how seizure control can reduce risk.
Need Evaluation After a Fit?
A neurologist can assess what happened, identify possible causes, determine whether further tests such as EEG or brain imaging are needed, and discuss treatment when appropriate.
Neurology ConsultationNeurology Consultations by Branch
For outpatient follow-up, confirm the appropriate branch and appointment before travelling. A first or prolonged seizure needs emergency assessment.
Dr. Rahul Nimmakayala
MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Neurologist
Experience: 15+ years
Consultation: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Dr. Shashanka
MBBS, DNB, DM (Neurology)
Neurologist
Experience: 12+ years
Consultation: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Fits
What is a fit?
A fit is a seizure, an episode caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can affect movement, awareness, sensation or behaviour.
Are fits and seizures the same thing?
In everyday medical usage, fit is commonly used to describe a seizure. A seizure is the medical term for the episode.
Are fits and epilepsy the same?
No. A seizure can occur once or because of a temporary trigger. Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving a tendency to recurrent seizures.
What are the symptoms of fits?
Symptoms can include staring, reduced awareness, sudden falling, stiffening, jerking, unusual sensations, repetitive movements and confusion after the event.
What causes fits?
Possible causes include low blood sugar, stroke, head injury, brain infection, electrolyte imbalance, alcohol withdrawal, structural brain problems and epilepsy. Fever-related seizures occur in some young children; a seizure with fever in an adult requires urgent assessment for an underlying cause. Sometimes no clear cause is found.
Can low blood sugar cause fits?
Yes. Severe hypoglycaemia can impair brain function and may cause a seizure. This is an emergency requiring prompt treatment.
Can stress cause fits?
Stress can be a trigger for seizures in some people with epilepsy, but a new seizure should not automatically be attributed to stress and needs medical assessment.
What should I do when someone has a fit?
Keep the person safe, clear nearby hazards, protect the head, time the seizure, loosen tight clothing around the neck and stay with them. Turn them gently onto their side when safe, without forcing movements. Monitor breathing after the shaking stops. If unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services and start CPR following dispatcher instructions.
Should I put something in the mouth during a seizure?
No. Never put fingers, a spoon, cloth or another object in the person's mouth. This can cause injury or choking.
Should I hold a person down during a fit?
No. Do not restrain seizure movements. Instead, remove nearby hazards and protect the person's head.
When should I call an ambulance for a fit?
Get emergency help if it is the first seizure, a seizure reaches 5 minutes or lasts longer than usual, another seizure begins before recovery, the person has difficulty breathing or waking, is seriously injured, or the seizure occurs in water. Also call for a seizure during pregnancy or in a person with diabetes who loses consciousness; follow their action plan if available.
How are fits diagnosed?
Doctors use the history and neurological examination and may order EEG, MRI or CT, blood tests, ECG and other investigations depending on the suspected cause.
Is EEG necessary after a seizure?
An EEG can help assess abnormal brain electrical activity and classify seizures, but whether and when it is needed depends on the clinical situation. A normal routine EEG does not rule out epilepsy.
Can a fit happen only once?
Yes. Some people have a single seizure caused by a temporary or identifiable trigger and never have another one. A first seizure still needs medical evaluation.
What medicines are used for fits?
Anti-seizure medicines are the main treatment for epilepsy. The specific medicine depends on seizure type, age, other conditions and other individual factors.
Can epilepsy be cured?
Some people become seizure-free with treatment, while others need long-term management. Treatment options may include medicines, surgery, nerve stimulation or specialized diets for selected patients.
Can epilepsy medicines be stopped suddenly?
No. Do not stop or change anti-seizure medicine without medical advice because abrupt changes can increase seizure risk.
Can children get fits?
Yes. Children can have seizures for many reasons, including fever-related febrile seizures and epilepsy. A first seizure in a child requires appropriate medical assessment.
Can pregnancy affect epilepsy treatment?
Pregnancy can change seizure management, and some anti-seizure medicines carry pregnancy-related risks. Anyone with epilepsy who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss treatment with a specialist and should not stop medication independently.
Which doctor treats fits?
A neurologist evaluates seizures and epilepsy. Emergency or general medical teams may assess a first seizure and refer to neurology when needed.
Sources and Further Reading
- CDC: Seizure first aid
- NHS: What to do during a seizure
- NICE: Epilepsy diagnosis and assessment
- AHA and Red Cross: First-aid guideline