(けいれん)

けいれん
noun
spasm; convulsion; cramp
1. spasm, cramp, muscle spasm
An involuntary, sudden contraction of muscles, often painful.
(あし)痙攣(けいれん)した
My leg cramped up.
The area around my eye is twitching.
My leg cramped while I was swimming and I couldn't move.
2. convulsion, seizure
A more severe form of involuntary muscle contractions, often associated with medical conditions like epilepsy or fever.
They had a convulsion due to high fever.
熱性(ねっせい)痙攣(けいれん) = febrile seizure
If a child has a convulsion, please call an ambulance immediately.
When a seizure occurs, do not try to forcibly hold the person down.

MEDICAL TERM:
痙攣(けいれん) covers a range of involuntary muscle contractions from minor cramps to serious convulsions.

TYPES:

  • (きん)痙攣(けいれん): Muscle spasm/cramp
  • 熱性(ねっせい)痙攣(けいれん): Febrile seizure (in children with fever)
  • てんかん発作(ほっさ): Epileptic seizure

COMMON LOCATIONS:

VERB USAGE:

  • 痙攣(けいれん)する: to have a spasm/convulsion
  • 痙攣(けいれん)()こす: to have a convulsion/seizure

CAUSES:

MEDICAL WARNING:
If convulsions are accompanied by loss of consciousness, last more than a few minutes, or occur repeatedly, seek emergency medical care.