Seizures

There are many different types of seizures.

Most are classified within 2 main categories: partial seizures and generalized seizures.


Partial Seizures

Partial seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain is limited to one area.

The 2 most common forms are simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures.

In a simple partial seizure, the person may experience a range of strange or unusual sensations, such as sudden jerky movements of one body part, distortions in sight or smell, a sudden sense of fear or anxiety, stomach discomfort, or dizziness. These sensations may also be known as a prodrome or aura. An aura is a simple partial seizure which can occur alone, or can be followed by a generalized seizure.

In a complex partial seizure, the person loses awareness as the seizure begins and appears dazed and confused. The person will exhibit meaningless behaviours such as random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing. These behaviours cannot be recalled by the person after the seizure.


Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire brain. The 2 most common forms are generalized absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures.

During a generalized absence seizure, the person appears to be staring into space and his/her eyes may roll upwards. This kind of seizure is characterized by 5 to 15 second lapses of consciousness and, when it has ended, the person will not recall this lapse of consciousness. Generalized absence seizures most often occur in childhood and disappear by adolescence. They are less prevalent in adulthood.

During a tonic-clonic seizure, the person will usually emit a short cry and fall to the floor. (This cry does not indicate pain.) The muscles will stiffen and the body extremities will jerk and twitch (convulse). Bladder control may be lost. Consciousness is lost and may be regained slowly.
 
Some medical conditions may cause seizures. These include: febrile seizures (caused by high fever in children), withdrawal seizures, and seizures caused by poisoning, allergic reaction, infection, or an imbalance of body fluids or chemicals (low blood sugar). These are not considered to be forms of epilepsy.

Persons who have lived with epilepsy for much of their lives may find that their seizures change as they age. The duration of their seizures may become longer or shorter; the intensity of their seizures may worsen or improve; seizure episodes may occur more or less frequently. Seniors also demonstrate a high rate for newly-diagnosed cases of epilepsy.

While there is a 10% chance that a person will experience a seizure at some time during their lifetime, a single seizure is not considered to be epilepsy.


Postictal States

The "ictal" state is the time during which a seizure occurs. Postictal states commonly follow both tonic-clonic and complex partial seizures. As a person regains consciousness after a seizure, s/he may experience fatigue, confusion and disorientation lasting minutes, hours or even days (or, rarely, longer). S/he may fall asleep or gradually become less confused until full consciousness is regained.

More Information on this web site about Seizures

Important Status epilepticus, a prolonged or continuous seizure state, is a life-threatening medical emergency. Status epilepticus can be convulsive (tonic-clonic or myoclonic) or non-convulsive (absence or complex partial). A person in non-convulsive status epilepticus may appear confused or dazed. If seizures last 5 minutes or more, or occur one after another without full recovery between seizures - immediate medical care is required. Call 911

More Information on this web site about First Aid for Seizures

SUDEP — Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown, and yet accounts for 12-15% of sudden deaths among people living with epilepsy. It most often strikes those between 20 and 40 years of age who have experienced seizures for more than a year.

While awareness needs to be raised, and additional research about SUDEP is necessary, autopsies reveal that 50% of affected patients had AED blood concentrations either below therapeutic levels or in completely undetectable amounts. It is unknown whether this is a result of poor compliance or metabolic issues.
 

More Information on this web site about SUDEP

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Last Modified: 07/17/2006 01:41:02 PM