Epilepsy
Alternative names:
seizure disorder
Symptoms:
Epilepsy is characterized by seizures of any type that occur on a chronic, recurrent basis and have no known cause. Nonspecific symptoms and/or signs may occur along with the seizures; including a headache, changes in mood or energy level, dizziness, fainting, confusion, and memory loss. An aura, sensations indicating a seizure is imminent, occur in some persons just prior to a generalized seizure.
Types of seizures and their symptoms:
PETIT MAL SEIZURES - minimal or no movements (usually, except for "eye blinking")
- brief sudden loss of awareness or conscious activity
- recurs many times
- occurs most often during childhood
- decreased learning
GRAND MAL SEIZURES (GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURES) SINGLE FOCAL SEIZURES PARTIAL COMPLEX SEIZURES - automatism (automatic performance of complex behaviors)
- abnormal sensations
- may have nausea, sweating, skin flushing, and dilated pupils
- may have other focal (localized) symptoms
- recalled or inappropriate emotions
- changes in personality or alertness
- may or may not lose consciousness
- olfactory (smell) or gustatory (taste) hallucinations or impairments -- if temporal focus
Signs and tests:
The diagnosis of epilepsy and/or seizure disorders involves a history of recurrent seizures of any type. A physical examination, including a detailed neuromuscular examination, may be normal or may show focal neurologic deficits (localized abnormalities of brain functions).
- An electroencephalograph (EEG), a reading of the electrical activity in the brain, usually confirms the presence of various types of seizures. It may, in some cases, indicate the location of the lesion causing the seizure.
Tests for the cause may include various blood tests (as appropriate depending on the suspected cause), including: Tests for the cause may include procedures such as: A physical examination and testing may be used to rule out other temporary and reversible causes of seizures such as a fever, various temporary chemical imbalances, toxemia of pregnancy, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs (especially benzodiazepines and barbiturates), use of drugs (especially street drugs), or other causes.
Disorders that may cause symptoms resembling seizures include transient ischemic attacks, rage or panic attacks, and any disorder that causes loss of consciousness or that causes tremors or tics as symptoms (abnormal muscle movements that are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity).
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