convulsion

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convulsion sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of the muscles of the body, often accompanied by loss of consciousness. It is not known what causes the abnormal impulses from the brain that result in convulsive seizures, since the disturbance may arise in normal brain tissue as well as in diseased or injured tissue. Convulsions may occur in such conditions as epilepsy, poisoning, high fever (especially in young children), disturbances of calcium or phosphorus metabolism, alkalosis, diabetes, oxygen insufficiency, and a low blood-sugar content, as well as in local irritation or injury of the brain. Persons undergoing convulsions should be guarded against self-injury (see epilepsy ). Otherwise, treatment must be directed to the underlying cause.

con·vul·sion / kənˈvəlshən/ • n. (often convulsions) a sudden, violent, irregular movement of a limb or of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated esp. with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children. ∎  (convulsions) uncontrollable laughter: the audience collapsed in convulsions. ∎  an earthquake or other violent or major movement of the earth's crust. ∎ fig. a violent social or political upheaval.

convulsion (kŏn-vul-shŏn) n. an involuntary contraction of the muscles producing contortion of the body and limbs. Rhythmic convulsions of the limbs are a feature of major epilepsy. febrile c. an epileptic-type seizure associated with a fever, which affects infants and young children and is usually caused by a viral infection.

convulsion Intense, involuntary contraction of the muscles, sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. A seizure may indicate epilepsy although there are other causes, including intoxication, brain abscess or hypoglycaemia.

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