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Epilepcy. A Simple Guide to Seizures

Do you know the difference between Partial and Generalized seizures? Why is a Tonic-Clonic seizure different than a Myclonic seizure? Find out in this guide to common seizure types.

While there are many different seizure types, many patients are unfamiliar with types other than the particular seizures they may have. Even then, sometimes the seizures are not fully understood. The following is a guide to help everyone, patient, relative, and the curious, understand seizures.

There are two main categories of seizures, Partial and Generalized.
Partial Seizures are centered in only one part of the brain.
Generalized Seizures involve the entire brain.

Common Partial Seizures:

Simple Partial Seizures – are seizures that occur while an individual is awake. The symptoms depend on which part of the brain is involved, but may include twitching, numbness, dizziness, nausea, or disruptions to senses. The individual remains fully aware of what is happening. These seizures can sometimes progress to other types of seizures and are sometimes described as a warning or “aura”.

Complex Partial Seizures – are seizures which actually change the individual’s awareness of their surroundings so he or she will not remember the seizure, however, onlookers may believe that the person is aware of the attack because the individual is awake. Symptoms may include strange behavior such as lip smacking, drunken behavior, or picking at clothing. These behaviors are called automatisms.

Secondary Generalized Seizures – are seizures that begin as partial seizures, that is, in only one area of the brain, but the activity spreads to become a generalized seizure.

Common Generalized Seizures:

Absence Seizures – are seizures characterized by staring or blinking spells. Formerly called Petit Mal or “Small Illness”, these seizures have been renamed as they really are a small absence of consciousness. The seizure is seen as the individual stopping and starring or perhaps blinking, then resuming activity. Onlookers may thing that the person was simply daydreaming. These seizures are most common in children, but can be seen in adults, especially if accompanying other types of seizures.

Myclonic Seizures – are seizures, which manifest themselves in short, jerky movements in various parts of the body. These jerks can be quite forceful and actually can pull muscles.

Atonic Seizures – also called “Drop Attacks”, these seizures are characterized by an individual falling limply to the ground. If this type of seizure occurs frequently, safety of surroundings may be a consideration to avoid serious injury.

Tonic-Clonic Seizures – formerly known as Grand Mal or “Large Illness”, these are the violent seizures most people think of when they hear about epilepsy. This seizure is really two phases: the Tonic Phase during which the muscles contract and the body stiffens, causing the individual to fall to the ground. During the Clonic phase, the victim jerks uncontrollably with convulsions. Air maybe forced out of the lungs causing a cry from the person, and the lips may turn blue. The individual loses consciousness and, when first coming-to, can be disoriented and exhausted, and will need time to recover.

Tonic Seizures – are seizures during which the individual will stiffen and drop to the ground, as with the Tonic-Clonic Seizure, but will not convulse. As with the Tonic-Clonic seizure, the episode will most likely not be remembered.

What to do in case of a seizure:If you are witness to an individual having a seizure, it is important to remember not to panic. DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING IN THE MOUTH. It is a myth that they will bite their own tongue off and swallow it. Also, do not try to restrain the victim, but try to cushion a fall and move sharp edged objects out of the way. Do not give the victim anything to drink until they are fully conscious. Be supportive and stay with the person until they have recovered. It is unnecessary to call for an ambulance unless the seizure has lasted more than five minutes.

March 5th, 2010 - Posted in Diseases | | Comments Off

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