Types of Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is a condition that occurs when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This increase in electrical activity causes mild or severe seizures. If you have two or more seizures you may be diagnosed with epilepsy. There are various kinds of seizures, lasting only seconds or much longer. Symptoms include convulsions and loss of consciousness uncontrolled movements in the body as well as others.

Classification

• Seizures are classified by the area of the brain involved and how much of the brain is affected. There are three main categories: generalized seizures, partial seizures and status epilepticus.

Types

• Seizures are further classified based on whether loss of consciousness occurs, if there is sporadic uncontrolled movement or if the movements are repetitive. Another concern is if there is a loss of muscle tone or not.

Generalized Seizures

• This type of seizure occurs when there is widespread electrical discharge that involves both sides of the brain at the same time. Hereditary factors are often linked to these types of seizures. They are further classified into Absence seizures, Atypical absence seizures, Myoclonic seizures, Atonic seizures, Tonic seizures, Clonic seizures and Tonic-clonic seizures.

Partial Seizures

• When there is abnormal electrical activity in a limited area of the brain, then it is a partial seizure. They are most common in those with a head injury, brain infection, stroke, or tumor or the cause remains unknown. They are further classified into Simple partial seizures, Complex partial seizures, Secondarily generalized seizures.

Status Epilepticus

• This type of seizure is identified as an episode where there is at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted seizure activity. This is a medical emergency that can result in death. The Epilepsy Foundation suggests that treatment should be given in any case where a seizure has continued for five minutes.