A grand mal seizure, often referred to as a tonic-clonic seizure, is characterized by violent muscle spasms and a loss of consciousness. A grand mal seizure, like all seizures, occurs due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A person most commonly experiences this type of seizure due to a condition known as epilepsy, which can occur due to an underlying health condition or for unknown reasons, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Brain Tumors
The American Brain Tumor Association explains that approximately one-third of patients with a brain tumor will experience seizures. The type of seizure commonly depends on where in the brain the tumor grows. While some patients may experience small focal seizures in which muscles twitch slightly, many patients experience grand mal seizures, as sudden bursts of electricity cause convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Head Injuries
Another common cause of grand mal seizures is a head injury. Any traumatic injury to the skull can cause a disruption in the normal electrical activity within the brain triggering a grand mal seizure. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends safety measures, such as using a seat belt when in a car and using helmets for bike riding and competitive sports, in order to protect the head from injury.
Prenatal Injury
A fetus's brain is especially susceptible to many different influences while in utero, including poor nutrition, lack of oxygen and maternal infections, which can all increase the likelihood of a child developing grand mal seizures. Advanced brain imaging has revealed that cases of epilepsy that appeared to be of unknown origin were actually associated with abnormal early development of an infant's neurons, according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Infections
Certain brain infections can interrupt the brain's electrical impulses, causing tonic-clonic seizures, according to the National Institutes of Health. A brain abscess is a collection of white blood cells, infected brain cells, live and dead bacteria, or fungi, which develops within the brain tissue. This often leads to swelling and inflammation. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain that affects the fluid that surrounds the brain. Meningitis can often lead to seizures as the increased fluids cause pressure in the skull. Other infections that can cause seizures include AIDS and syphilis that has infected the brain.
