What are Generalized Tonic Clonic or Grand Mal Seizures?
This is the type of convulsive seizure that most people recognize as epilepsy. It used to be called a grand mal seizure, but now is more properly termed tonic clonic: tonic meaning stiffening and clonic meaning jerking. It is a generalized seizure–meaning most of the nerve cells of the brain are firing at the same time– so consciousness is lost. The person remains unconscious throughout the seizure. This seizure begins with the tonic phase, in which the body’s muscles stiffen. The person will typically let out a cry, which is really the sound of air being forced out through their contracted vocal cords. The stiffening of the body’s muscles causes the person to fall to the ground. The back arches, the eyes roll back and the limbs extend. Breathing is difficult because of the stiffened chest muscles, and, with the change in available oxygen, the skin colour turns bluish /grey. Quickly the clonic phase begins, and the limbs, body and head begin to jerk rhythmically. Saliva builds up in
