Seizure types

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Seizure Types

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements or feelings, and levels of consciousness. There are many types of seizures, which range in severity. The types of seizures are generally divided into two groups: focal (partial) seizures and generalized seizures.

Focal (Partial) Seizures

Focal seizures, also known as partial seizures, occur when electrical activity is limited to a specific area of the brain. They can further be classified into:

  • Simple partial seizures: These seizures do not result in loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound.
  • Complex partial seizures: These seizures involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness. During a complex partial seizure, you may stare into space and not respond normally to your environment or perform repetitive movements, such as hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing or walking in circles.

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures appear to involve all areas of the brain. Six types of generalized seizures exist:

  • Absence seizures: Previously known as petit mal seizures, these often occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or subtle body movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking.
  • Tonic seizures: Tonic seizures cause stiffening of your muscles. These seizures usually affect muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the ground.
  • Atonic seizures: Also known as drop seizures, these cause a loss of muscle control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse or fall down.
  • Clonic seizures: Clonic seizures are associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms.
  • Myoclonic seizures: Myoclonic seizures usually appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches of your arms and legs.
  • Tonic-clonic seizures: Previously known as grand mal seizures, tonic-clonic seizures are the most dramatic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and shaking, and sometimes loss of bladder control or biting your tongue.

Pronunciation

  • Seizure: /ˈsiːʒər/

Etymology

The word "seizure" comes from the Old French word "saisir", meaning "to take hold of" or "to grasp".

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