What Are Symptomatic Seizures?

Symptomatic seizures (symptomatic epilepsy) occur as a result of known neurological causes. This type of seizure is most common in the elderly and newborns.

Facts

• Having a seizure can result in abnormal sensations, convulsions (violent involuntary contraction of voluntary muscles), and altered awareness. Symptomatic seizures can occur as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome (head trauma caused by shaking infants).

Causes

• Brain disorders such as strokes, tumors, brain injuries and malformations (abnormal brain development) can cause symptomatic seizures.

Diagnosis

• Symptomatic seizures are diagnosed by the evaluation of certain factors such as the patient's medical history, a physical examination and routine neurological testing.

Signs & Symptoms

• Aura (premonition) may proceed symptomatic seizures and may consist of psychic, autonomic or sensory sensations.

Treatments

• Treatments used for symptomatic seizure can include seizure control drugs, elimination of the possible cause, or if more than two drugs don't control seizures, surgery may be an option.