Epilepsy is a neurological disorder resulting in seizures. Seizures are caused by over-activity of the brain cells, which causes a sudden surge of electrical activity.
Epilepsy can arise from things like brain damage during birth, head injuries, strokes and alcoholism. Quite often the exact cause of epilepsy is a mystery.
In general there are two types of seizure – partial seizures, originating in one part of the brain and radiating to other areas, and generalised seizures, which originate from both sides of the brain at once.
Partial seizures can be sub-divided into two groups; simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures.
© Insider Health
Epilepsy can arise from things like brain damage during birth, head injuries, strokes and alcoholism. Quite often the exact cause of epilepsy is a mystery.
In general there are two types of seizure – partial seizures, originating in one part of the brain and radiating to other areas, and generalised seizures, which originate from both sides of the brain at once.
Partial seizures can be sub-divided into two groups; simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures.
- Simple partial seizure - Confined to one particular area of the brain. The person retains consciousness, but may be fearful, and experience a strong sense of deja vu. Symptoms include jerking of an arm and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
- Complex partial seizure - The electrical disturbance spreads, disrupting consciousness. The person may interact with the surroundings, but be unaware of what they are doing and have no recollection of the event.
- Tonic clonic seizure - This leads to 'grand mal' convulsions in which the person loses consciousness, falls to the ground, becomes stiff and shakes.
- Absence attack - A blank spell lasting a matter of seconds from which recovery is almost immediate.
- Myoclonic seizures - Jerks caused by a sudden contraction of the muscles. Can affect the whole body usually restricted to one or both arms and sometimes the head.
- Tonic seizures - All the muscles contract. The body stiffens and the person will fall over if unsupported.
- Atonic seizures - All muscle tone is lost and the person simply drops to the ground.
© Insider Health
