Seizure types vary by where in the brain they begin and how far they spread. Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency. Seizures are more common than you might think.

How do you know when a seizure is over?

During a convulsive or tonic-clonic seizure, it may look like the person has stopped breathing. This happens when the chest muscles tighten during the tonic phase of a seizure. As this part of a seizure ends, the muscles will relax and breathing will resume normally.

How long of a seizure is too long?

A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or having more than 1 within a 5 minute period is an emergency that requires immediate medical care.