Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
Epilepsy is a general term that includes various types of seizures. The word "epilepsy" comes from a Greek word meaning "to possess, seize or hold." Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. The seizures themselves are not painful but resulting injuries from falling or involuntary chewing may cause pain. Epilepsy is NOT contagious and people with epilepsy do not have a psychiatric disorder. Because the brain uses electrochemical energy, any disruption of the electrical processes in the brain may cause abnormal functioning. Unfortunately, this is what happens during epilepsy: neurons in the cerebral hemispheres misfire and create abnormal electrical activity. People with epilepsy have seizures that are a bit like an electrical brainstorm.
Most people with epilepsy lead outwardly normal lives. While epilepsy cannot currently be cured, for some people it does eventually go away. Most seizures do not cause brain damage. It is not uncommon for people with epilepsy, especially children, to develop behavioral and emotional problems, sometimes the result of embarrassment and frustration or bullying, teasing, or avoidance in school and other social setting. For many people with epilepsy, the risk of seizures restricts their independence (some states refuse drivers licenses to people with epilepsy) and recreational activities. People with epilepsy are at special risk for two life-threatening conditions: status epilepticus and sudden unexplained death.
The seizure prevents the brain from:
- Interpreting and processing incoming sensory signals (like visual and auditory information).
- Controlling muscles. That is why people with epilepsy may fall down and twitch.
There are many types of epilepsy. Each type of epilepsy has different behavioral effects and is treated with different methods. In some cases, people know they are about to have a seizure because they see or hear something, or feel dizzy, nauseous, or "strange." This is called an aura. An aura can act as an "early warning system" telling a person that a seizure is about to happen. The person can therefore minimize a possible injury by taking precautions such as sitting down.
Types of Seizures :
1. Generalized seizures - uncontrollable discharge of neurons on BOTH sides of the brain. This is the most common type of epilepsy. The seizure starts in one area of the brain and spreads across the brain. These seizures produce muscle twitches, convulsions and loss of consciousness. People with this type of epilepsy do not remember having a seizure.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures, also called grand mal seizures, look like a sudden cry or fall; the individual may lose consciousness. The individual will exhibit rigidity, followed by muscle jerks, shallow or temporarily suspended breathing, bluish skin, and possible loss of bladder control. This seizure may last a couple of minutes. The individual may experience some confusion and/or fatigue, followed by a return to full consciousness.
Generalized absence seizures or petit mal seizures look like a blank stare, beginning and ending abruptly, lasting only a few seconds. Other symptoms may include rapid blinking or some chewing movements of the mouth.
Atonic seizures, also known as drop attacks, occur when an individual suddenly drops and falls. This type of seizure generally lasts between 10 seconds and one minute. The individual will regain consciousness and can eventually stand and walk again.
Myoclonic seizures are sudden, brief, but massive muscle jerks that may involve the whole body or parts of the body. This type of seizure activity may cause an individual to spill what he/she is holding, or fall from a chair.
2. Partial Seizures - This type of seizure is characterized by abnormal electrical activity involving only a small part of the brain.
Simple partial seizures begin with involuntary jerking movement in the arm, leg, or face. The jerking may spread to become a convulsive seizure. The individual remains awake and aware throughout this type of seizure. The individual may see or hear things that are not there, and may feel unexplained sadness, anger, fear, or joy. The individual may also experience nausea, identify odd smells, or have a "funny" feeling in the stomach.
Complex partial seizures, also called psychomotor seizures or temporal lobe seizures, usually start with a blank stare, followed by chewing, then followed by random activity. The individual appears unaware of surroundings, may seem dazed, and may mumble. The individual may be unresponsive, and clumsy. The individual may pick at clothing or try to remove clothes, and may run or appear afraid. The individual may struggle or resist restraint. This seizure lasts a few minutes, but post-seizure confusion can last longer. The individual has no memory of what happened during the seizure.
Photosensitivity epilepsy seizures can occur when an individual views or is exposed to, flashing or flickering lights or moving geometric shapes or patterns. Some triggers include watching television, playing video games, using a computer, and viewing strobe lights. Other natural occurrences of flashing or flickering lights include sunlight coming through a line of trees, looking out of a window, or sunlight reflecting on water.
Many (50-70%) cases of epilepsy have no known cause. For the remaining cases, there are many other events that may cause epileptic seizures:
- Head injuries, such as a car accident or a fall
- Brain tumor
- Stroke
- Arteriosclerosis (fatty plaque build-up in arteries)
- Brain injury before birth caused by infection or lack of oxygen to the brain
- Infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis
Brain damage resulting from these events may cause a "scar" on the brain. This is where an epileptic seizure starts. At this time it is not known why a scar starts a seizure. There may be a genetic link for some types of epilepsy, but this is usually NOT the case. Sometimes a seizure will be triggered by:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Flashing lights or sounds (like from a video game or TV)
- Low blood sugar
Treatment ranges from prescription drugs to brain surgery. Unfortunately, most of the drugs can cause drowsiness, dizziness and nauseousness and some epilepsy cannot be controlled by medicine.
For more information, please visit the following websites
Has a focus on epilepsy in children.
Provides many links to specific questions about epilepsy including “Living with Epilepsy.”
Discusses safety tips for the home and other ways of preventing injury during a seizure.
National Association of Epilepsy Centers
Contact information for centers in the United States specializing in epilepsy.
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Part of the National Institutes of Health. Has more links to groups focusing on the treatment and cure of epilepsy, especially in children.
Provides general information about epilepsy.