Epilepsy symptoms

Overview Epilepsy is a disorder in which you have recurring seizures. Normally, nerve cells in the brain transmit electrical and chemical signals to other nerve cells, glands, and muscles. Seizures happen when too many of these nerve cells, or neurons, fire electrical signals at the same time at a much faster rate than they normally would. Usually, a seizure lasts a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, they can last longer. Not all seizures occur due to epilepsy. According to the Signs of a seizure can be subtle or dramatic. The affected person could: • simply stare at nothing for a few seconds • lose consciousness • exhibit strange behavior, such as saying nonsense • stiffen, shake, or have violent, jerking movements Although they can vary widely, specific symptoms are often associated with specific kinds of seizures. An episode can start out as a simpler form of seizure, but it can become another type of seizure with more widespread or powerful effects. The type of seizure depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected. The two main categories of epileptic seizures that exist are partial and generalized. Multiple types of seizures are in each category. Also called a focal or local seizure, partial seizures result from abnormal activity in one part of the brain. The two kinds of partial seizures are simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. Simple partial seizures People don’t usually lose consciousness with simple partial seizures, but ...

Psychosis (known to psychiatrists as psychotic disorder) is a severe mental disorder in which the person loses contact with reality. The prevalence of this type of disorder in people with epilepsy has not been established, but the percentage affected is certainly small. It does seem clear, however, that some forms of psychosis are closely linked to the occurrence of seizures and differ from the psychotic disorders that affect other people. In general, psychotic episodes in people with epilepsy tend to be less severe and respond better to therapy. • Feeling that you are losing contact with reality is frightening. If you have had this feeling, don't be embarrassed to discuss it with your doctor. It's important to report it because the doctor may be able to refer you for additional help. If it happens to a family member, make sure that the person's doctor is aware of it. Psychosis in people with epilepsy is most often classified according to the time when episodes occur, in relation to seizures: Postictal psychosis has been estimated to affect between 6% and 10% of people with epilepsy. • It involves psychiatric symptoms that occur within 7 days (usually within 1 to 3 days) after a seizure or seizure cluster in a person who does not have these symptoms at other times (or at least has them in a much milder form). • These symptoms may include delusions, depressive or manic psychosis, or bizarre thoughts and behavior. They generally disappear promptly when treated with low doses...

What is epilepsy in children? Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes a child to have seizures. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. It affects children and adults of all races and ethnic backgrounds. The brain consists of nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical activity. A seizure occurs when one or more parts of the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals that interrupt normal brain signals. Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a child has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy. There are different types of seizures. The type of seizure depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected and what happens during the seizure. The 2 main categories of epileptic seizures are focal (partial) seizure and generalized seizure. Focal (partial) seizures Focal seizures take place when abnormal electrical brain function occurs in one or more areas of one side of the brain. Before a focal seizure, your child may have an aura, or signs that a seizure is about to occur. This is more common with a complex focal seizure. The most common aura involves feelings, such as deja vu, impending doom, fear, or euphoria. Or your child may have visual changes, hearing abnormalities, or changes in sense of smell. The 2 types of...

Types & Characteristics To understand epilepsy and seizures, familiarize yourself with the major types as well as epilepsy signs and symptoms. We’ve got basic information. • Epilepsy and Seizure Types • There are several types of epilepsy, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Learn about idiopathic epilepsy, symptomatic epilepsy, and other types. • If your doctor says you have refractory epilepsy, it means that medicine isn't bringing your seizures under control. • People with photosensitive epilepsy have seizures that are triggered by flashing lights, bold visual patterns, or overexposure to video games. • Children with benign rolandic epilepsy have seizures that affect the face and sometimes the body. It almost always disappears by adolescence. • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a rare and severe kind of epilepsy that starts in childhood. • Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, or JME, is a form of epilepsy that starts in childhood or adolescence. People with this disorder experience muscle twitching or jerking. • Abdominal epilepsy is a condition in which seizure activity causes abdominal symptoms like pain and nausea. It’s so uncommon that some experts question whether it exists. • Absence seizures (formerly called ''petit mal'' seizures) are caused by abnormal and intense electrical activity in the brain. • Temporal lobe, or psychomotor, seizures cause temporary changes in movement, sensation, or autonomic function (such as heart rate and salivation). • Epilep...

A seizure is a condition where brain cells malfunction and send electrical signals uncontrollably. That causes symptoms affecting other parts of your brain and your body. Everyone can have seizures, but some people can have them more easily for various reasons. Seizures are often treatable, especially depending on the underlying cause. Overview When seizures happen, the flow of electrical signals in your brain is disrupted. What is a seizure? A seizure is a medical condition where you have a temporary, unstoppable surge of electrical activity in your brain. When that happens, the affected brain cells uncontrollably fire signals to others around them. This kind of electrical activity overloads the affected areas of your brain. That overload can cause a wide range of symptoms or effects. The possible symptoms include abnormal sensations, passing out and uncontrolled muscle movements. Treatment options, depending on seizure type, include medications, surgeries and special diet changes. The term seizure comes from the ancient belief in multiple cultures that seizures were a sign of possession by an evil spirit or demon. However, modern medicine has uncovered the truth: Everyone can have seizures, and some people can have them more easily than others. What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy? Understanding the difference between seizures and epilepsy starts with knowing seizures fall into two main categories depending on why they happen. • Provoked seizures: These h...

Overview Epilepsy is a disorder in which you have recurring seizures. Normally, nerve cells in the brain transmit electrical and chemical signals to other nerve cells, glands, and muscles. Seizures happen when too many of these nerve cells, or neurons, fire electrical signals at the same time at a much faster rate than they normally would. Usually, a seizure lasts a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, they can last longer. Not all seizures occur due to epilepsy. According to the Signs of a seizure can be subtle or dramatic. The affected person could: • simply stare at nothing for a few seconds • lose consciousness • exhibit strange behavior, such as saying nonsense • stiffen, shake, or have violent, jerking movements Although they can vary widely, specific symptoms are often associated with specific kinds of seizures. An episode can start out as a simpler form of seizure, but it can become another type of seizure with more widespread or powerful effects. The type of seizure depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected. The two main categories of epileptic seizures that exist are partial and generalized. Multiple types of seizures are in each category. Also called a focal or local seizure, partial seizures result from abnormal activity in one part of the brain. The two kinds of partial seizures are simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. Simple partial seizures People don’t usually lose consciousness with simple partial seizures, but ...

Types & Characteristics To understand epilepsy and seizures, familiarize yourself with the major types as well as epilepsy signs and symptoms. We’ve got basic information. • Epilepsy and Seizure Types • There are several types of epilepsy, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Learn about idiopathic epilepsy, symptomatic epilepsy, and other types. • If your doctor says you have refractory epilepsy, it means that medicine isn't bringing your seizures under control. • People with photosensitive epilepsy have seizures that are triggered by flashing lights, bold visual patterns, or overexposure to video games. • Children with benign rolandic epilepsy have seizures that affect the face and sometimes the body. It almost always disappears by adolescence. • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a rare and severe kind of epilepsy that starts in childhood. • Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, or JME, is a form of epilepsy that starts in childhood or adolescence. People with this disorder experience muscle twitching or jerking. • Abdominal epilepsy is a condition in which seizure activity causes abdominal symptoms like pain and nausea. It’s so uncommon that some experts question whether it exists. • Absence seizures (formerly called ''petit mal'' seizures) are caused by abnormal and intense electrical activity in the brain. • Temporal lobe, or psychomotor, seizures cause temporary changes in movement, sensation, or autonomic function (such as heart rate and salivation). • Epilep...

What is epilepsy in children? Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes a child to have seizures. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. It affects children and adults of all races and ethnic backgrounds. The brain consists of nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical activity. A seizure occurs when one or more parts of the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals that interrupt normal brain signals. Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a child has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy. There are different types of seizures. The type of seizure depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected and what happens during the seizure. The 2 main categories of epileptic seizures are focal (partial) seizure and generalized seizure. Focal (partial) seizures Focal seizures take place when abnormal electrical brain function occurs in one or more areas of one side of the brain. Before a focal seizure, your child may have an aura, or signs that a seizure is about to occur. This is more common with a complex focal seizure. The most common aura involves feelings, such as deja vu, impending doom, fear, or euphoria. Or your child may have visual changes, hearing abnormalities, or changes in sense of smell. The 2 types of...

Psychosis (known to psychiatrists as psychotic disorder) is a severe mental disorder in which the person loses contact with reality. The prevalence of this type of disorder in people with epilepsy has not been established, but the percentage affected is certainly small. It does seem clear, however, that some forms of psychosis are closely linked to the occurrence of seizures and differ from the psychotic disorders that affect other people. In general, psychotic episodes in people with epilepsy tend to be less severe and respond better to therapy. • Feeling that you are losing contact with reality is frightening. If you have had this feeling, don't be embarrassed to discuss it with your doctor. It's important to report it because the doctor may be able to refer you for additional help. If it happens to a family member, make sure that the person's doctor is aware of it. Psychosis in people with epilepsy is most often classified according to the time when episodes occur, in relation to seizures: Postictal psychosis has been estimated to affect between 6% and 10% of people with epilepsy. • It involves psychiatric symptoms that occur within 7 days (usually within 1 to 3 days) after a seizure or seizure cluster in a person who does not have these symptoms at other times (or at least has them in a much milder form). • These symptoms may include delusions, depressive or manic psychosis, or bizarre thoughts and behavior. They generally disappear promptly when treated with low doses...

A seizure is a condition where brain cells malfunction and send electrical signals uncontrollably. That causes symptoms affecting other parts of your brain and your body. Everyone can have seizures, but some people can have them more easily for various reasons. Seizures are often treatable, especially depending on the underlying cause. Overview When seizures happen, the flow of electrical signals in your brain is disrupted. What is a seizure? A seizure is a medical condition where you have a temporary, unstoppable surge of electrical activity in your brain. When that happens, the affected brain cells uncontrollably fire signals to others around them. This kind of electrical activity overloads the affected areas of your brain. That overload can cause a wide range of symptoms or effects. The possible symptoms include abnormal sensations, passing out and uncontrolled muscle movements. Treatment options, depending on seizure type, include medications, surgeries and special diet changes. The term seizure comes from the ancient belief in multiple cultures that seizures were a sign of possession by an evil spirit or demon. However, modern medicine has uncovered the truth: Everyone can have seizures, and some people can have them more easily than others. What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy? Understanding the difference between seizures and epilepsy starts with knowing seizures fall into two main categories depending on why they happen. • Provoked seizures: These h...