Epilepsy: Type of Seizures and Their Symptoms

• Epilepsy and an overview of the types of seizures
• Types of generalized seizures (including grand mal)
  • Absence seizures
  • Myoclonic seizures
  • Clonic seizures
  • Tonic seizures
  • Atonic seizures
• Types of partial seizures
  • Simple partial seizures
  • Complex partial seizures
  • Focal seizure that evolves into a generalized convulsive ("grand-mal") seizure

Based on the type of behavior and brain activity, seizures are divided into two broad categories: generalized and partial (also called local or focal). Classifying the type of seizure helps physicians diagnose whether or not a patient has epilepsy.

Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the entire brain, whereas partial seizures are produced (at least initially) by electrical impulses in a relatively small part of the brain. The part of the brain generating the seizures is sometimes called the focus. The most common types of seizures are listed below:

Seizures: When the Computer Goes Haywire Medical Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD The brain is an impressively wired computer. It stores information from input through our five senses and sifts through the data; gets rid of frivolous material and organizes the important stuff into short-term memory centers; and finally rearranges the final product into long-term memory. The brain also sends messages out electrically to the rest of the body, controlling movement and position so that the body can take the brain where it wants to go. Electricity is the key to its function, and sometimes it short circuits. Seizures occur when parts of the brain becomes irritable and develop electrical surge. That surge can remain in a small area or it can spread to the whole brain. Every person has the potential to have a seizure. Read more about seizures » Top Searched Seizure Terms: Ultram, types of seizures, causes, grand mal, Paxil, febrile, Zoloft, absence, stress, epileptic, symptoms, petit mal, myoclonic, partial

Generalized seizures

There are six types of generalized seizures. The most common and dramatic, and therefore the most well known, is the generalized convulsion, also called the grand-mal seizure. In this type of seizure, the patient loses consciousness and usually collapses. The loss of consciousness is followed by generalized body stiffening (called the "tonic" phase of the seizure) for 30 to 60 seconds, then by violent jerking (the "clonic" phase) for 30 to 60 seconds, after which the patient goes into a deep sleep (the "postictal" or after-seizure phase). During grand-mal seizures, injuries and accidents may occur, such as tongue biting and urinary incontinence.

Absence seizures cause a short loss of consciousness (just a few seconds) with few or no symptoms. The patient, most often a child, typically interrupts an activity and stares blankly. These seizures begin and end abruptly and may occur several times a day. Patients are usually not aware that they are having a seizure, except that they may be aware of "losing time."

Myoclonic seizures consist of sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body. Patients sometimes describe the jerks as brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures may result in dropping or involuntarily throwing objects.

Clonic seizures are repetitive, rhythmic jerks that involve both sides of the body at the same time.

Tonic seizures are characterized by stiffening of the muscles.

Atonic seizures consist of a sudden and general loss of muscle tone, particularly in the arms and legs, which often results in a fall.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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