Grand mal seizures are described as a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions, according to the MayoClinic.com. These seizures occur with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Grand mal seizures can be triggered by health problems such as extremely low blood sugar or a stroke, but most of the time these seizures are caused by epilepsy. Some people may only experience one grand mal seizure during their lifetime, while others may have frequent seizures that require daily anti-seizure medications.
Epilepsy
The most common cause of grand mal seizures is the development of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that is usually diagnosed when a person has one or more unprovoked seizures. People with epilepsy experience grand mal seizures as a result of brief, strong electrical surges that impair parts of their brain, causing convulsions, loss of consciousness, blank staring, lip smacking and/or jerky arm and leg movements. Approximately one in 10 adults will experience a seizure during their lifetime, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Mild seizures typically last between a few seconds and a few minutes and resolve on their own, but in some cases medical intervention may be required.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can cause grand mal seizures due to a chemical imbalance within the brain. This condition can occur when blood sugar or glucose levels drop too low as a result of body sugar that is used too quickly, glucose that is too slowly released into the bloodstream or excess insulin in the blood, according to the website AllRefer.com. Diabetics with hypoglycemia have an increased risk for grand mal seizures when they take too much insulin, do not eat enough food or engage in an increase in exercise without increasing food consumption.
Strokes
Certain brain injuries such as a stroke can cause grand mal seizures as a result of inadequate oxygen to the brain, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted and a blocked blood vessel in the brain bursts open. If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain does not get enough blood and oxygen and brain cells die, triggering seizures or in severe cases, permanent brain damage.
