Auras and warnings

People with tonic clonic seizures may or may not experience a warning. Some people experience a sensation called an aura before a seizure starts.

The aura may occur far enough in advance to give people time to lie down and prevent injury from falling.

The type of aura experienced varies from person to person, as auras are in fact a simple partial seizure, for example: a change in body temperature, a feeling of tension or anxiety, a strange taste or smell, even musical sounds or visual disturbance. Auras are not necessarily followed by a tonic clonic seizure. Where this does happen, it is known as a secondary generalised seizure.

Some people report a sense of heaviness, depression or general feeling of not being quite right in themselves before a seizure. This experience can happen for hours or days before they have a seizure. Doctors call this a prodrome and, if a person can learn to recognise it, it can be a useful guide.

When a person has no warning, this obviously has its drawbacks as the person does not have a chance to ensure their safety beforehand. Unfortunately, it is this lack of warning that can result in accidents or injury. People who have this type of seizure need to be a little more safety conscious than others.

Further information can be obtained from Epilepsy Action by using the Email Helpline or if you live in the UK, by phoning the Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 5050.

Information checked Monday 18 July 2005