May occur immediately before complex partial and generalized seizures and are characterized by a brief simple partial seizure that presents with changes in visual perception, smell, taste or emotional state.

Primary Generalized Seizures

The different types of primary generalized seizures cause different symptoms:

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure (also called grand mal seizure)

loss of consciousness

Sustained muscular contraction

Series of shorter rhythmic contractions

Loss bowel or bladder control

The seizure episode lasts for less than a minute and is followed by period of lethargy and temporary confusion.

Status epilepticus ,A single prolonged continuous convulsive seizure activity (five minutes or more) or 2 or more separate seizures episodes without a return to the baseline clinical state.

Absence seizure (petit mal seizure),In this type of seizure, loss of consciousness is so brief that the person usually doesn’t change position and can present with:

Staring into space for a few seconds

A sudden stop in the motion without falling

Lip smacking

Eyelid fluttering

Chewing movements

Cognitive problems such as difficulty in paying attention

Stopping speech midway

Partial (Focal) Seizures

Simple partial seizure

No loss of consciousness.

Jerking movements in one part of the body

Complex partial seizure

This is the most common type of partial seizures.

Patient may lose awareness of his or her surroundings

Unresponsive or only partially responsive.

There may be a blank stare, chewing or lip-smacking, or repetitive movements of the hands.

After the seizure, the person typically is confused and has no memory of the episode.

Post ictal symptoms

Refers to a collection of symptoms when the brain is recovering from the effects of the seizures. They include:

Lethargy

Drowsiness

Confusion Headache

Previous Topic

Back to Lesson

Next Topic