Epileptic seizures result from a temporary electrical disturbance of the brain. Sometimes seizures may go unnoticed, depending on their presentation, and sometimes seizures may be confused with other events, such as a stroke, which can also cause falls or migraines. It is important for physicians to perform an EEG recording to accurately diagnose the condition.
Persons who have lived with epilepsy for much of their lives may find that their seizures change as they age. The duration of the seizures may become longer or shorter; the intensity of the seizures may worsen or improve; seizure episodes may occur more or less frequently. Seniors also demonstrate a high rate for newly-diagnosed cases of epilepsy.
The list below outlines the general definitions of some commonly found seizure types. It is helpful to learn the names and the terms used to describe these seizures so that you can describe your disorder directly and accurately to other people and to your health care providers.
While there are over 40 types of seizure, The following are the most common:
Simple partial seizures(formerly known as focal seizures): Characterized by strange or unusual sensations, for example, odours or visual abnormalities. Sudden or restless movement, hearing or vision distortion, stomach discomfort, a sudden sense of fear are all characteristics of this type of seizure, but consciousness is not impaired.
Complex partial seizures(formerly psychomotor or temporal lobe seizures): characterized by complicated motor action involving loss of awareness. The person appears dazed and confused - random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing may be observed. These automatisms or repeated idiosyncratic motions, cannot be recalled by the person. In children, this seizure should not be confused with the absence seizure described below.
Generalized absence seizures(formerly petit mal): characterized by a complete loss of awareness. The person may stare into space. Absences are not preceded by a warning, (aura) and are followed by normal activity. Often these seizures occur in children and often disappear by adolescence. They may, however, develop into other types of seizures, such as complex-partial or tonic-clonic. Absences rarely affect adults.
Tonic-clonic seizures(formerly grand mal): a generalized convulsion occurring in two phases. In the tonic phase, the person loses consciousness and falls, as the body grows rigid. In the clonic phase, body extremities jerk and twitch. After the seizure, consciousness returns slowly. If a tonic-clonic seizure begins locally (with partial seizure), it may be preceded by an aura. This seizure, while perhaps the type of epilepsy most visible in the public mind, is not the most common. Approximately two-thirds of people with epilepsy have complex partial seizures.
Status Epilepticus: is a term describing a state of recurring seizures between which consciousness does not return. This type of seizure demands immediate medical care, as it can lead to severe brain damage and even loss of life.
Although seizures look different they have certain things in common:
During a seizure, a person stop breathing for only a few seconds.
Most seizures only last 1-2 minutes, although the person may be confused for a long time afterwards.
The brain almost always stops the seizures safely and naturally.
Once a seizure has begun, you cannot stop it — just let it run its course.
Only in emergencies, doctors use drugs to bring a non-stop seizure to an end.
People don’t feel pain during a seizure, although muscles might be sore afterwards.
Seizures are usually not life threatening, but the risk is increased in seniors by the extra strain on the heart, the possibility of injury, or a reduced intake of oxygen.
Seizures are not dangerous to others.
Seizures are not contagious.
First Aid For Seizures
In all types of seizures, the goal is to protect the person from harm until full awareness returns. If you are living with or caring for someone with a seizure disorder who has other medical problems, check with the doctor about how to respond when a seizure happens. Find out whether the doctor wants to be notified every time or just in certain circumstances. Ask whether or when you should call an ambulance and if there are any special warning signals that you should looking for. Also note the general rule:
The less done to a person during a relatively brief seizure, the better.
Keep Calm.
Seizures may appear frightening to the onlooker.
They usually last only a few minutes and generally do not require medical attention.
Remember that the person having a seizure may be unaware of their actions and may or may not hear you.
Protect from further injury.
If necessary, ease the person to the floor.
Move any hard, sharp or hot objects well away.
Protect the person's head and body from injury. Loosen any tight neckwear.
Do not restrain the person.
If danger threatens, gently guide the person away.
Agitation during seizure episodes is common.
Trying to restrain or grabbing hold of someone having a seizure is likely to make the agitation worse and may trigger an instinctive aggressive response.
Do not insert anything in the mouth.
The person is not going to swallow the tongue.
Attempting to force open the mouth may break the teeth or cause other oral injuries.
Roll the person on their side after the seizure subsides.
This enables saliva to flow from the mouth, helping to ensure an open air passage.
If there is vomit, keep the person on their side and clear out their mouth with your finger.
If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or repeats without full recovery.
SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY
Although this rarely occurs, status epilepticus is life-threatening. It is a serious medical emergency.
Talk gently to the person.
After any type of seizure, comfort and reassure the person to assist them in reorienting themselves. The person may need to rest or sleep. If the person wanders, stay with them and talk gently to them.
