What happens when you have two seizures at the same time?
It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that aren't brought on by an identifiable cause is generally considered to be epilepsy.
How many types of seizures are there?
There are many types of seizures. A person with epilepsy can have more than one type of seizure. The signs of a seizure depend on the type of seizure. Sometimes it is hard to tell when a person is having a seizure.
Can a seizure make you see things that aren't there?
They can cause both physical and emotional effects and make you feel, see, or hear things that aren’t there. About 60% of people with epilepsy have this type of seizure, which is sometimes called a partial seizure. Sometimes, the symptoms of a focal seizure can be mistaken for signs of mental illness or another kind of nerve disorder.
What is the difference between simple and complex seizures?
These seizures are also called partial seizures. Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching or a change in sensation, such as a strange taste or smell. Complex focal seizures can make a person with epilepsy confused or dazed.
What happens if you have multiple seizures?
Seizure clusters may happen without warning and can lead to serious health consequences, such as: Injuries. Hospitalization. Longer seizures or more dangerous activity, called status epilepticus, which is a seizure lasting longer than five minutes.
Does having more than one seizure mean you have epilepsy?
One seizure alone doesn't mean you have epilepsy, but if you have two or more seizures, you may be diagnosed with epilepsy. Seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy, but they can also be caused by a number of other events. Nonepileptic seizures are seizures brought on by situations that aren't related to epilepsy.
Can you have multiple seizures and not have epilepsy?
Dissociative seizures happen unconsciously, which means that the person has no control over them and they are not put on. This is the most common type of NES. Dissociative seizures are sometimes known as non-epileptic attacks.
Can you have multiple seizures in a row?
Seizures of any type may occur in groups or clusters over a number of hours or days. A person usually recovers between seizures and the clusters will end on their own. People can be at risk for repeated clusters or status epilepticus if: Seizure clusters last longer than normal.
How likely is a second seizure?
The chance of another seizure can range from 16% to 61%, depending on the circumstances surrounding the seizure and results of a neurological exam or other tests.
What can cause multiple seizures?
Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.
Why do seizures come in clusters?
The exact reason that clusters of seizures occur is not clear but may be related to a failure of inhibition of the epileptic discharge in the brain which may happen for multiple reasons. It is important to recognize the pattern of cluster seizures and to treat it.
How many seizures is too many seizures?
A person is diagnosed with epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures. A seizure is a short change in normal brain activity.
Can multiple seizures cause brain damage?
These studies have shown that certain populations of brain cells may die after single or repeated brief seizures. Molecular signals inside nerve cells lead to their death. Researchers have identified many of the chemical pathways where this occurs.
Should you go to the ER after a seizure?
Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes and will not require any emergency medical attention. However, if someone is experiencing a seizure that lasts longer than two minutes, or they lose consciousness and it does not come back right after the seizure, you should call 911 right away.
Can you have different types of seizures?
There are many types of seizures. A person with epilepsy can have more than one type of seizure. The signs of a seizure depend on the type of seizure. Sometimes it is hard to tell when a person is having a seizure.
Can you have a 2 second seizure?
Each seizure lasts only a second or two but multiple episodes can occur close together in a series — or cluster. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but colic cramps do not typically occur in a series. Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
How many seizures do you have in your lifetime?
Some people only have one seizure in their lifetime. Recognizing the different symptoms of seizures can help you determine the type. Read on to learn how seizures are classified, which symptoms they cause, and what to do if a seizure occurs.
How to help someone who has a seizure?
Keep them safe by following these steps: Remove hard or sharp items from their surroundings. If the person is standing, gently hold them and guide them to the floor. If the person is on the floor, carefully turn them on their left side to help them breathe.
What are the different types of seizures in children?
Children can have the following seizures: focal aware seizures. focal impaired awareness seizures. focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. gelastic and dacrystic seizures. generalized tonic-clonic seizures. tonic seizures.
What is the first phase of a focal tonic clonic seizure?
It used to be called a secondary generalized seizure. It involves two phases. The first phase is called the tonic phase. It causes muscle stiffening.
How long does a febrile seizure last?
This affects the whole body and lasts less than 15 minutes. Only one seizure occurs in 24 hours. Complex febrile seizure. This seizure is limited to one body part or lasts more than 15 minutes. It may happen multiple times in 24 hours. Febrile seizures tend to run in families.
How do you know if you have a seizure?
They may also involve involuntary laughing, blank staring, or hand motions. If someone is having a seizure, clear the area and guide them slowly to the floor.
What is a focal seizure?
Focal seizures. In a focal seizure, the abnormal electrical activity starts in one area of the brain. This used to be called a partial seizure. Focal seizures are common. Approximately 60 percent of people with epilepsy have focal seizures.
How many hours apart can you have two seizures?
It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that aren't brought on by an identifiable cause is generally considered to be epilepsy. There are many types of seizures, which range in symptoms and severity. Seizure types vary by where in the brain ...
What are the different types of seizures?
Different types of generalized seizures include: Absence seizures. Absence seizures, previously known as petit mal seizures, often occur in children and are characterized by staring into space or by subtle body movements, such as eye blinking or lip smacking.
How long does a seizure last?
Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency. Seizures are more common than you might think. Seizures can happen after a stroke, a closed head injury, an infection such as meningitis or another illness.
What is the classification of seizures?
Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or deja vu. Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how and where abnormal brain activity begins. Seizures may also be classified as unknown onset, if how the seizure began isn't known.
What is a temporary confusion spell?
Temporary confusion. A staring spell. Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Loss of consciousness or awareness. Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or deja vu. Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how and where abnormal brain activity begins.
What is a focal seizure?
Focal seizures. Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain. Focal seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness: Focal seizures with impaired awareness. These seizures involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness that feels like being in a dream.
What happens if you fall during a seizure?
If you fall during a seizure, you can injure your head or break a bone. Drowning. If you have a seizure while swimming or bathing, you're at risk of accidental drowning. Car accidents. A seizure that causes loss of either awareness or control can be dangerous if you're driving a car or operating other equipment.
What are the two types of seizures?
There are two major types of seizures: Focal seizures: These start in a particular part of your brain, and their names are based on the part where they happen. They can cause physical and emotional effects and make you feel, see, or hear things that aren’t there. About 60% of people with epilepsy have this type of seizure, ...
What is the difference between a clonic and a tonic seizure?
That can lead to breathing problems or make you bite your tongue or cheek. Clonic seizures: Your muscles have spasms, which often make your face, neck, and arm muscles jerk rhythmically. They may last several minutes. Tonic seizures: The muscles in your arms, legs, or trunk tense up.
Why do people have atonic seizures?
Because of the risk of falling, people who tend to have atonic seizures may need to wear something like a helmet to protect their heads. People who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and another kind of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome are more likely to have this kind of seizure.
What is a partial seizure?
About 60% of people with epilepsy have this type of seizure, which is sometimes called a partial seizure. Sometimes, the symptoms of a focal seizure can be mistaken for signs of mental illness or another kind of nerve disorder. Generalized seizures: These happen when nerve cells on both sides of your brain misfire.
How common are focal seizures in children?
They’re most common in children under 14. Simple focal seizures: They change how your senses read the world around you: They can make you smell or taste something strange, and may make your fingers, arms, or legs twitch. You also might see flashes of light or feel dizzy.
Can seizures cause muscle spasms?
They can make you have muscle spasms, black out, or fall. Seizures aren’t always an either-or thing: Some people have seizures that start as one kind, then become another. And it’s not easy to classify some of them: These are called unknown-onset seizures, and they can cause sensory and physical symptoms.
Can you lose consciousness when you have a seizure?
You’re not likely to lose consciousness, but you might feel sweaty or nauseated. Complex focal seizures: These usually happen in the part of your brain that controls emotion and memory. You may lose consciousness but still look like you’re awake, or you may do things like gag, smack your lips, laugh, or cry.
What is it called when you have both generalized and focal seizures?
If both generalized onset and focal onset seizures occur, it’s called combined generalized and focal epilepsy. This type of epilepsy causes a combination of various seizures, including one or more of: The seizures can occur together or separately. One type of seizure can occur more frequently than others.
How many types of epilepsy are there?
Types of epilepsy and symptoms. There are four types of epilepsies. Each type includes different types of seizures, which cause different symptoms and have different onset (begin in different parts of the brain).
What are the different types of epilepsy?
Types of epilepsy are classified by the types of seizures involved. The main epilepsy types include focal onset epilepsy, generalized onset epilepsy, combined generalized and focal epilepsy, and unknown onset. A doctor can use various tests to determine what type of epilepsy you might have.
What percentage of epilepsy is generalized?
These seizures begin on both sides of the brain and cause impaired consciousness or loss of consciousness. Approximately 23 to 35 percent of epilepsies are generalized.
What is a simple focal seizure?
Simple focal seizures. A simple focal seizure can be similar to a seizure aura and it is sometimes called a seizure aura. You stay conscious and aware of your surroundings but sometimes unable to fully respond during the seizure. It might also cause: muscle jerking.
What is an outlook on epilepsy?
outlook. response to antiepileptic drugs. other symptoms, such as physical or cognitive problems. This is different from an epilepsy type. An epilepsy type only indicates the types of seizures. An epilepsy syndrome describes the types of seizures (and therefore, epilepsy type), plus other characteristics.
What is the International League against Epilepsy?
New terminology for epilepsy and seizures. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) is an organization that studies epilepsy. They publish reports that provide updated classifications of epilepsies and seizures that are agreed upon by the leading organizations.
How many people have seizures in their lifetime?
About 1 in 10 people may have a seizure during their lifetime, 1 which means seizures are common. It’s important to be able to recognize when a seizure is happening and know how to help.
What are the different types of seizures?
There are two main types of seizures: 1 Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain. 2 Focal seizures start on one side of the brain. 2
What side of the brain does a generalized seizure start?
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain. Focal seizures start on one side of the brain. 2. Both types of seizures can affect a person’s awareness. Both generalized and focal seizures can cause a person to have physical movements, which doctors call “motor symptoms.”.
How do you know if you have a seizure?
If you are concerned that you or a loved one could have had a seizure, talk to a health care provider .
Is it common to have a seizure when you are shaking?
That’s one kind of seizure, but it’s not the most common.
Can epilepsy have more than one type of seizures?
There are many different types of seizures, and people with epilepsy may have more than one type. You may have heard words such as “grand mal,” “petit mal,” or “partial” to describe different types of seizures. Those terms are now outdated.
Can a seizure cause a strange taste?
More often, a person having a seizure may seem confused, stare into space, wander, make unusual movements, or be unable to answer questions or talk. Some people with seizures have sensations such as a strange taste or smell or a “funny feeling” in their stomach.
What is the most prominent phase of a seizure?
Ictal Phase. The most prominent and visibly apparent phase of a seizure is described as the ictal phase. During this phase, you may experience alterations in consciousness, involuntary movements—or both. A seizure can be described as a convulsive seizure (with shaking or jerking movements) or a non-convulsive seizure ...
What is a seizure without movement?
A seizure can be described as a convulsive seizure (with shaking or jerking movements) or a non-convulsive seizure (without any unusual physical movements). Involuntary movements may involve your whole body, or one side of your face, arm, or leg. Typically, the muscle movements are rhythmic and repetitive.
What is the term for a seizure that involves a rhythmic jerking of one part of the
Myoclonic seizures: Sometimes these seizures occur in hereditary epilepsy, and they involve involuntary rhythmic jerking of one part of the body, typically with impairment of consciousness. Myoclonic epilepsy is a type of epilepsy with predominantly myoclonic seizures.
What is the postictal phase of epilepsy?
Postictal Phase. Seizure phases include the aural stage, the ictal stage, and the postictal stage. A seizure is a brief episode involving changes in consciousness and/or involuntary (not on purpose) shaking or jerking of the body. If you or your child has epilepsy, you may experience a seizure pattern that involves only ...
How long does an aura last?
This stage occurs immediately before the ictal stage of a seizure and it can last from a few seconds to an hour in duration. Most people are aware of their own symptoms during a seizure aura. You may or may not have an aura prior to your seizures.
What is the diagnosis of epilepsy?
If you have epilepsy, the diagnosis of your seizure type and your treatment strategy is typically based on the features of your ictal phase. Common seizure types include: Absence seizures: More common in children than in adults, this seizure type is characterized by a brief alteration of consciousness without muscle movements or loss of muscle tone.
Can you be unconscious during a seizure?
You can be conscious or unconscious during this stage—and your level of consciousness during your postictal phase might or might not correlate to your level of consciousness during your ictal stage. It is common to feel very tired after a seizure ...
