Epilepsy is a complex condition, and if we are to truly understand it, we must look carefully at some of the symptoms that it carries. The main issue with epilepsy though, is the fact that it is so complex. If it were simple, the symptoms could quite easily be outlined here and there would be no ambivalence or ambiguity.
There are really two types of epilepsy seizures, one a partial seizure and the other a full seizure. The full seizure is generally referred to by physicians as ‘general’. The doctors who treat epilepsy classify the two types according to how much of the brain is affected. A general seizure will affect the whole brain, while a partial will only affect the brain to a lesser extent.
A partial seizure is further broken down into symptoms where you can either suffer a simple partial seizure, or a complex partial seizure. Symptoms of a simple partial seizure (where you feel more than you would during a complex one) include:
- Changes in the way things can look, feel, sound or smell
- The unique feeling of déjà vu
- An intense sensation of ‘pins and needles’ in your legs
- Intensifying emotions, such as fear and excitement
- Some involuntarily movement (or twitching) on one side of your body
A more complex partial seizure, where you may not remember anything at all that happens to you, has symptoms such as:
- A rubbing of the hands
- Smacking of your lips
- Moving your arms involuntarily
- A rubbing of your muscles
- Increased chewing or swallowing
If you have a partial seizure, you will have little to no awareness during it, and no memory of it.
When it comes to general seizures, unconsciousness is generally what happens. This can be quite alarming, especially the first few times it happens, but people generally get control of their general seizures (or at least the people around them do).
Symptoms include:
- Absences, which generally affect children more than adults. This is where the child loses awareness of his or her surroundings for under thirty seconds
- Myoclonic jerks are where your body trembles and twitches involuntarily.
- A full Clonic seizure occurs were you may lose consciousness and twitch for longer than you would with a Myoclonic seizure
- An Atonic seizure is where your muscles relax, and you often fall to the ground when this one occurs
In some situations, sufferers can experience what is known as an ‘aura’. These occur moments before a seizure, and generally make the sufferer feel lightheaded, or that the world is becoming somewhat unreal or dreamlike. There will be a change in the sense of smell, and a strong sense of deja vu.
While some symptoms can be spotted, it is generally advised to be up to date with the personal circumstance of anyone who you know suffers from epilepsy. This is because some symptoms may be more pronounced in them than in others. Knowing this information will help you to help them a when a seizure occurs.
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