What are the common complications of seizures?

Injuries during a seizure are a well-recognized complication, as individuals experiencing a seizure may lose awareness and control, which can result in various forms of trauma. The nature of a seizure, particularly in generalized types where the individual may experience convulsions, can lead to falls or collisions with surrounding objects. This can cause cuts, bruises, fractures, or even more serious injuries depending on the environment in which the seizure occurs.

Other complications associated with seizures may include factors such as the immediate postictal state, which can lead to confusion and a lack of awareness of one’s surroundings, further increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the likelihood of sustaining injuries can be dependent on the individual's surroundings at the time of the seizure and their physiological condition.

While chronic fatigue, hypertension, and respiratory infections can have associations with seizure disorders, they are not considered immediate or direct complications of seizures themselves in the way that injuries are during an active seizure event. Thus, the risk of injuries vividly illustrates the acute nature of complications that can arise directly during the occurrence of a seizure.