Doctors say Chief Justice John Roberts suffered “a benign idiopathic seizure” Monday at his summer home in Maine. It was his second seizure in the last 15 years.
A seizure is like a little storm in the brain's electrical system. The resulting symptoms can range from a few minutes' blank stare to a full-scale collapse and loss of consciousness.
Fevers frequently trigger seizures. Sometimes they're a sign of infection. Very low blood sugar and dehydration also can trigger one. Simple emergency room tests can rule those out.
When there's no apparent underlying cause, doctors label it a benign seizure. It's not all that rare for a usually healthy person to have one.
Neurologists define someone who has had more than one seizure an epileptic. Epilepsy is merely a term for a seizure disorder. There are medications that can help prevent another seizure.