When people think of an epileptic seizure, they most likely envision someone who faints or falls down, his body twitching and jerking. But that represents only one kind of seizure, the generalized or grand mal seizure, which impacts all areas of the brain.
A partial seizure, where only one part of the brain is involved, affects only a part of the body. If the part of the brain controlling movement of the hand is involved, for example, then perhaps only the hand may show rhythmic movements or jerking. Other symptoms might include strange sensations or small repetitive movements such as picking at clothes or lip smacking. Another person experiencing a partial seizure may stare off into space or appear dazed or confused.
“It’s important to bring a family member or friend along to your doctor’s appointment so they can describe the kinds of symptoms you have,” says UConn Health Center neurologist Dr. Marie Eugene. “Knowing the symptoms of your particular seizure will help us diagnose and treat your condition.”
Epileptic seizures occur when abnormal bursts of electricity in the brain briefly upset normal brain function. It’s not always clear what triggers the bursts of abnormal electrical activity. But Eugene says there are certain conditions that may cause seizures which include sleep deprivation, alcohol use, head injury, or stroke.
Epilepsy may develop even though you do not have any risk factors and a cause cannot always be identified. Children and older adults are most likely to develop epilepsy, but it can start at any age.
“It’s possible that epilepsy may run in families, but you don’t have to have a family history to develop epilepsy,” says Eugene.
Medicine controls seizures in many people who have epilepsy. For those with seizures which are harder to control, there is a device called a vagus nerve stimulator. It’s implanted under your skin near your collarbone and sends weak signals to the vagus nerve in your neck and to your brain to help control seizures.
If you know what triggers a seizure, you may be able to avoid having one. Getting regular sleep and avoiding stress may help. If treatment controls your seizures, you have a good chance of living and working like everyone else.
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