Skip to content


    Exciting News for WebMD Members!



    What Do You Need to Do?



    Yours in health,
    WebMD Message Boards Management

    An_204655 posted:
    What is the difference between a TIA and a seizure?
    Was this Helpful?
    7 of 15 found this helpful
    susiemargaret responded:
    hello, 124707 --

    a TIA (see PS1), which standards for transientischemic attack, is a sort of a mini-stroke (PS2); it is caused when the flow of blood to part of the brain is blocked, often by a blood clot, but then becomes unblocked when the clot or other cause dissolves or disappears. in other words, the effects of a TIA are temporary, whereas the effects of a stroke are permanent. a TIA is a warning that a person may eventually have a full-blown stroke.

    a seizure (PS3, PS4) is a convulsion; it is the result of abnormal electrical signals sent from the brain thru the nerves to the muscles. seizures can involve mild or violent shaking of the body; they can also manifest as what looks like a conscious state where the person is nonetheless unaware of what is happening around him/her (these are called absence seizures).

    in short, TIAs are caused by a blockage of the flow of blood to the brain, whereas seizures are caused by abnormal electrical signals from the brain.

    -- susie margaret

    PS1 -- webMD info on TIAs is at . be sure to check out all of the subsections, which are listed in blue ink at the left under the black title "transient ischemic attack (TIA)."

    PS2 -- webMD info on strokes is at . be sure to check out all of the subsections, which are listed in blue ink at the left under the black title "stroke guide."

    PS3 -- webMD info on seizures is at . be sure to check out all of the subsections, which are listed in blue ink at the left under the black title "seizures."

    PS4 -- webMD info on types of seizures is at .

    Spotlight: Member Stories


    Helpful Tips

    Why does the doctor treat me like my symptom is "Nothing"?
    Sometimes, one or a few symptoms do NOT indicate a serious condition or disease. Sometimes, the "picture" of symptoms hasn't developed ... More
    Was this Helpful?
    14 of 23 found this helpful

    Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA
