What occurs during a seizure or convulsion?

During a seizure or convulsion, uncontrolled body movements are the hallmark characteristic. This occurs due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can affect various parts of the body. The muscle contractions associated with seizures can range from mild twitching to vigorous shaking, often leading to a loss of consciousness or awareness during the episode. This erratic movement results from the brain's signals being disrupted, which can cause the muscles to contract involuntarily.

The other options provided do not accurately describe what happens during a seizure. Complete stillness, for instance, is more indicative of a different type of neurological event or condition and does not align with the active physical manifestations of seizures. Difficulty speaking can happen in some seizure types, especially if speech-related areas in the brain are affected, but it is not a defining characteristic of the seizure itself. Gradual muscle relaxation might occur after a seizure has ended, but during the seizure, muscle activity is typically uncoordinated and erratic, not relaxed.