Pronunciation: [kənvˈʌlʃən] (IPA) 
The word "convulsion" is spelled with a silent "v" in the middle, which can be confusing for non-native English speakers. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /kənˈvʌlʃən/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "v" sound is represented by the "ʌ" symbol, followed by an "l" and a "ʃ" to make the "sh" sound. The word refers to a sudden, violent movement of a person's body, often caused by a medical condition.
Convulsion refers to a sudden and involuntary contraction or spasm of the muscles, often accompanied by jerking movements and trembling of the body. Medically, it is characterized by uncontrolled and violent muscle contractions, which are typically repetitive and can affect various areas of the body. Convulsions can vary in severity and duration, ranging from a mild twitching of muscles to intense and prolonged seizures.
Convulsions can occur due to various reasons, such as epilepsy, high fever (febrile convulsions), certain infections, head injuries, brain abnormalities, drug withdrawal or overdose, and metabolic or chemical imbalances in the body. These muscle contractions are typically the result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing an interruption in the normal communication between nerve cells.
During a convulsion, an individual may experience loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, temporary paralysis, foaming at the mouth, and tongue biting. It is crucial to ensure the person's safety during a convulsion by removing any objects that may cause injury and gently cushioning their head. Once the convulsion subsides, the individual may enter a period of recovery, which can include confusion, fatigue, headache, and muscle soreness.
Treatment for convulsions primarily depends on the underlying cause. Medical interventions to manage convulsions may involve the use of anticonvulsant medications, lifestyle modifications, and addressing any identifiable triggers or risk factors. In severe cases, emergency medical attention may be required to stabilize the individual and prevent further complications associated with convulsions.
A violent involuntary muscular contraction.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Any violent and involuntary contraction of the parts of the body, as in fits; any violent and irregular motion-used more frequently in the plu. or as an adj.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "convulsion" originated from the Latin word "convulsionem", which is the past participle of "convulsionare". This Latin term is derived from the prefix "con-" meaning "together", and the verb "vulsio", meaning "to pull or tug violently". Therefore, "convulsion" originally meant "a violent pulling or tugging together". Over time, its meaning evolved to describe a sudden, involuntary contraction or spasm of the muscles, often accompanied by uncontrolled movements.
