The brain controls how the body moves by sending out small
electrical signals through the nerves to the muscles. Seizures,
or convulsions, occur when abnormal signals from the brain
change the way the body functions. Seizures are different from
person to person. Some people have only slight shaking of a hand
and do not lose consciousness. Other people may become
unconscious and have violent shaking of the entire body. Shaking
of the body, either mild or violent, does not always occur with
seizures. Some people who have seizures have symptoms before the
seizure (auras) or briefly lose touch with their surroundings
and appear to stare into space. Although the person is awake, he
or she does not respond normally. Afterwards, the person does
not remember the episode. Not all body shaking is caused by
seizures. Many medical conditions can cause a type of body
shaking that usually affects the hands and head (tremors). A
small number of people will have only one seizure during their
lifetime. A single seizure usuall