Tonic-clonic seizures are a type of epilepsy that causes strong muscle movement on both sides of the body. They can also cause autonomic changes. These changes affect the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.A tonic-clonic seizure may last for five minutes or more. This type of seizure is often considered an emergency.If you or your child is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure, call 911 immediately. The longer the seizure lasts, the more dangerous it is.While tonic-clonic seizures are rare, they can be caused by brain injury. Symptoms include soreness, muscle stiffness, loss of bladder control, urinary incontinence, and confusion.Treatment is dependent on the cause of the seizure. Most people with tonic-clonic seizures are able to manage them with medication. However, some individuals have a higher risk of recurrent seizures.Seizures are not contagious. It is important to protect the person who is having a seizure from being harmed by objects. Immediately after a seizure, move any dangerous objects away from the person. Also, check for injuries.After a seizure, the person is usually confused for several hours. When he or she regains consciousness, he or she will have a headache. Some people feel better after a few hours.People who are diagnosed with tonic-clonic seizures will need to make a safety plan. This will help them prevent the seizures from occurring again. Epilepsy Alarm In addition, some people with tonic-clonic seizures may need to take more than one medication. Medication can be changed slowly to reduce the severity of the condition.