What is the Difference Between Seizure and Syncope?

Seizures and syncope (fainting) are both conditions that can cause a loss of consciousness, but they have different characteristics and underlying causes. Here are the main differences between the two:

Seizures:

• Common symptoms include convulsions, which are unusual in syncope.
• More likely to cause tongue biting.
• More likely to show a specific atypical electroencephalogram (EEG) reading.
• Can arise from different conditions that alter typical brain activity, including epilepsy.
• Indicates a disturbance in the normal electrical activity in the brain.

Syncope:

• Defining symptom is loss of consciousness.
• Less likely to cause tongue biting.
• Less likely to show an atypical EEG reading.
• Often arises due to a drop in blood pressure.
• Indicates reduced blood flow to the brain.

Some key points to remember when responding to seizures or syncope include:

• For seizures, do not put anything in the person's mouth, do not attempt to restrain them, and move hard and sharp objects away from them.
• Call emergency services if it is a person's first seizure, repeated seizures happen one after another, the person appears to be choking or having difficulty breathing, the seizure happens in water, it lasts more than 5 minutes, or the person is injured.
• If you experience syncope or seizure, it is essential to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

It is crucial to differentiate between seizures and syncope to provide appropriate treatment and manage underlying conditions effectively.

Comparative Table: Seizure vs Syncope

Here is a table highlighting the differences between seizures and syncope:

While both syncope and seizures can cause a loss of consciousness, they have different causes, diagnostic approaches, and treatments. It is essential to differentiate between the two to provide appropriate care and management.