convulsive

Convulsive is an adjective used in medicine to describe events or conditions involving convulsions—sudden, involuntary muscle contractions caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In clinical use, convulsions are most often discussed in relation to seizures, though the term does not by itself denote a disease.

A convulsive seizure is one in which there are rhythmic movements of the limbs or other parts of the body, often with impaired consciousness. Not all seizures are convulsive; some are non-motor or involve only brief changes in awareness. Convulsions can occur in various contexts and may be caused by epilepsy, fever in children (febrile seizures), metabolic disturbances, withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives, intoxication or poisoning, head injury, infections, stroke, or brain tumors.

Classification commonly distinguishes generalized convulsions, such as tonic-clonic seizures with stiffness and rhythmic jerking, from focal (partial) convulsions that involve movements in one part of the body. Absence seizures are typically nonconvulsive. A different, more urgent category is convulsive status epilepticus, defined as a prolonged seizure or a sequence of seizures without full recovery between them, requiring emergency treatment.

Diagnosis generally relies on clinical history, neurologic examination, and tests such as electroencephalography (EEG) and brain imaging to identify underlying causes. Treatment focuses on controlling seizures with antiseizure medications when appropriate and addressing reversible triggers. First aid during a convulsive seizure emphasizes safety, avoiding restraint or placing objects in the mouth, and seeking medical help if the seizure lasts longer than about five minutes or if there is uncertainty about the person’s condition.