Signs and Symptoms of Brain Epilepsy

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is most effectively treated when diagnosed early. Knowing the signs and symptoms of seizures can save time and improve the quality of life for someone with epilepsy.

Temporary Confusion

• Things may taste, smell, look, sound or feel differently than normal. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are symptoms of simple partial seizures, which may accompany involuntary jerking or other sensory symptoms, such as vertigo, tingling or flashing lights.

Daydreaming

• Some seizures cause you to lose consciousness for a period of time. To an onlooker, the seizure looks like daydreaming or staring and may involve motions without purpose, such as chewing, twitching or hand rubbing.

Uncontrollable Jerking

• The uncontrollable movements generally occur in the arms and legs. In babies, parents must look for patterns of unusual movements, telling the doctor about any abnormalities.

Irritability

• Irritability often follows seizures, so even if you do not witness convulsions, you may see the aftereffect of a seizure. A child may be unusually hard to wake and complains of sore muscles. A brief period of confusion may be followed by irritability.

Abnormal Behavior

• If you start noticing abnormalities occurring frequently, you may need to talk to a doctor. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, behaviors to watch for include: tripping, sudden confusion, sleepiness or irritability and lack of response for brief periods of time.