Epilepsy Symptoms
Epilepsy can arise as a result of many different conditions that affect the
brain. Most people with epilepsy experience the same type of seizure, with
similar symptoms, each time they have a seizure, but others may experience a
wide range of types and symptoms. The term epilepsy can be used interchangeably
with seizure disorder. Epilepsy is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
Symptoms experienced by a person during a seizure depend on where in the brain
the disturbance in electrical activity occurs. A person having a tonic-clonic,
grand mal, seizure may cry out, lose consciousness, and fall to the ground, and
have rigidity and muscle jerks. A person having a complex partial seizure may
appear confused or dazed and will not be able to respond to questions or
direction. Some people, however, have seizures that are not noticeable to
others. Sometimes, the only clue that a person is having an absence, petit mal,
seizure is rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space.
There are more than 20 different types of seizures. These types can be broadly
classified into two groups:
Symptoms of Primary Generalized Seizures
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Generalized tonic-clonic, grand mal seizures. Characterized
by a loss of consciousness, these are body stiffening and shaking, and
sometimes tongue biting or loss of bladder control. After the shaking
subsides, a period of confusion or sleepiness usually occurs, lasting for a
few minutes to a few hours, the most intense of all types of seizures,
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Absence, petit mal seizures. These seizures are
characterized by staring, subtle body movement and brief lapses of
awareness. They're usually brief, and typically no confusion or sleepiness
occurs when the seizure is over.
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Atonic seizures. Also known as drop attacks, these seizures
cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down. After a few seconds, you regain
consciousness and are able to stand and walk.
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Myoclonic seizures. Myoclonic seizures may last only a
short time, from less than a second for single jerks to a few seconds for
repeated jerks of your arms and legs.
Symptoms of Partial Seizures
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Simple partial seizures. These seizures begin from a small
area in your brain and don't result in loss of consciousness. They may cause
uncontrolled shaking of an arm, leg, or any other part of your body; alter
emotions; change the way things look, smell, feel, taste, or sound; or cause
speech disturbance.
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Complex partial seizures. These seizures also begin from a
small area of your brain. They alter consciousness and usually cause memory
loss (amnesia). They can cause staring and nonpurposeful movements, such as
repeated hand rubbing, lip smacking, posturing of your arm, vocalization or
swallowing. After the seizure ends, you may be confused or sleep for a few
minutes and may be unaware you had the seizure.
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Secondary generalized seizures (partial seizures with
secondary generalization). These seizures occur when simple or complex
seizures spread to involve your entire brain. They may begin as a complex
partial seizure with staring and nonpurposeful movements. The seizure then
becomes more intense, leading to generalized convulsions characterized by
stiffening and shaking of your extremities and your body with loss of
consciousness.
Seek medical advice if you experience a seizure for the first time. Also, seek
medical help if any of the following occur:
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Your seizures change in frequency and severity.
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There's a change in the way you feel during and after the
seizures occur.
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Your seizure is preceded by a sudden, severe headache or
other signs and symptoms of stroke, including weakness or numbness on one
side of your body, vision loss, confusion, coordination or speech problems.
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Seizure lasts more than five minutes.
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Recovery from your seizure is slow.
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A second seizure follows immediately.
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You're pregnant or have diabetes.
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You change your seizure medication or begin taking other
medicines.
Epilepsy
Symptoms to E
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