FEBRILE SEIZURES Meaning and
Definition
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Febrile seizures are a type of convulsive episodes that occur in children, commonly between the ages of six months and five years, as a result of a sudden spike in body temperature (fever). These seizures are characterized by involuntary shaking or twitching of the muscles, often accompanied by loss of consciousness or impaired awareness. Febrile seizures are considered a relatively common occurrence, affecting around 2-5% of children.
These seizures are usually short-lived, lasting less than 5 minutes, and generally do not pose any long-term health risks. However, they can be distressing to witness. Febrile seizures can be classified into two main categories: simple febrile seizures and complex febrile seizures.
Simple febrile seizures are the most common type and typically last less than 15 minutes. They do not recur within a 24-hour period and do not cause any neurological deficits. On the other hand, complex febrile seizures are characterized by longer duration, recurrence within a 24-hour period, and may involve only one side of the body or lead to neurological abnormalities after the seizure.
The exact cause of febrile seizures is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the rapid rise in body temperature rather than the degree of fever itself. Febrile seizures usually occur at the beginning stages of an illness or when the fever peaks. It is important to manage the underlying illness or infection causing the fever to prevent further seizures. In cases of prolonged or recurrent febrile seizures, medical evaluation and intervention may be necessary to identify and manage any potential underlying conditions.
Common Misspellings for FEBRILE SEIZURES
- debrile seizures
- cebrile seizures
- vebrile seizures
- gebrile seizures
- tebrile seizures
- rebrile seizures
- fwbrile seizures
- fsbrile seizures
- fdbrile seizures
- frbrile seizures
- f4brile seizures
- f3brile seizures
- fevrile seizures
- fenrile seizures
- fehrile seizures
- fegrile seizures
- febeile seizures
- febdile seizures
- febfile seizures
- febtile seizures
Etymology of FEBRILE SEIZURES
The word "febrile seizures" consists of two parts: "febrile" and "seizures".
The term "febrile" comes from the Latin word "febris", meaning "fever". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*dheb", which means "fever, warmth". Over time, the Latin word evolved into "febre" and then "febris" to represent a medical condition characterized by an elevated body temperature.
The term "seizures" comes from the Old French word "seisir", which means "to seize or take hold of". It can be traced back to the Latin word "sedeo", meaning "to sit" or "to seize". In a medical context, "seizures" refer to sudden, uncontrollable movements or changes in behavior caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
