2. Seizures: The Electrical Storm Within
Seizures take the second spot on our list, and for good reason. When it comes to CCM, seizures aren’t just flickering episodes but violent electrical storms in the brain. In these moments, a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity fires up, disrupting not just your neural circuits but your entire sense of self.
People experiencing seizures often report a sense of déjà vu before the onset, an eerie familiarity that’s hard to shake. In the case of CCM-related seizures, the malformed blood vessels can interfere with the brain’s electrical system. When blood leaks into surrounding tissues, it sets the stage for these unpredictable events.
There’s more science at play here than you might expect. Calcium and sodium ions, which play a role in nerve impulse transmission, can get out of balance. The result? Seizures that manifest in ways that are as varied as they are frightening. From loss of consciousness to twitching limbs, the range of expression here is wide.
The unpredictability of seizures makes them especially challenging. You might be fine one moment and find yourself on the ground the next. The duration of these episodes varies too, from brief spells to long, agonizing minutes. (2)
