- stare blankly or look like they’re daydreaming.
- be unable to respond.
- wake from sleep suddenly.
- swallow, smack their lips, or otherwise move their mouth repetitively.
- pick at things like the air, clothing, or furniture.
- say words repetitively.
- scream, laugh, or cry.
What happens during a complex partial seizure?
With a complex partial seizure,
the surge happens only on one side and in a specific area
. It’s called “partial” because only one part of your brain is affected. During this type of seizure, you may not be able to control your movements or talk. Afterward, you may not remember at all.
What part of the brain do complex partial seizures affect?
Where do focal impaired awareness seizures (complex partial seizures) usually start? These seizures usually start in one area or group of brain cells, most often in
the temporal lobe or frontal lobe
of the brain. They can also start in other areas too.
How long can complex partial seizures last?
Complex partial seizures (CPS) are the most common type of epilepsy in adults. These seizures can last
between 30 seconds and 2 minutes
. People having this type of seizure may appear to be daydreaming or staring blankly.
Do complex partial seizures damage the brain?
Most types of seizures do not cause damage to the brain
. However, having a prolonged, uncontrolled seizure can cause harm. Because of this, treat any seizure lasting over 5 minutes as a medical emergency.
Can complex partial seizures get worse?
Focal seizures can get
worse if they are not treated
, allowing for more serious symptoms to develop.
What is the best medicine for complex partial seizures?
Two of the most commonly used medicines to treat partial seizures are
carbamazepine (Tegretol and other brand names)
and lamotrigine (Lamictal). Other choices include valproate (Depakote), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), gabapentin (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax).
Do complex seizures affect both hemispheres?
Complex partial seizures, also known as focal impaired awareness seizures or focal onset impaired awareness seizures, refer to focal seizures that
start in one hemisphere
of the brain and are associated with an impairment in consciousness.
Can you drive with complex partial seizures?
Some states will license people with seizure disorders if they only have seizures during sleep (nocturnal epilepsy), or if they have simple partial seizures in which they remain aware and able to drive
safely
. Some people have a long aura (or warning) before a seizure, allowing them to pull safely off the road.
Do complex partial seizures cause memory loss?
Seizures. Any type of epileptic seizure could
potentially affect your memory
, either during or after a seizure. If you have lots of seizures, memory problems might happen more often. Some people have generalised seizures that affect all of the brain.
Can complex partial seizures be cured?
Once diagnosed, seizures — including complex partial seizures — can be managed through a variety of treatment options. In some cases,
children will outgrow the seizures
. If you think that you or someone you know is having seizures, it’s important to talk to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What does a partial onset seizure look like?
Simple partial seizures, where a person remains fully aware and does not lose consciousness. He/she may experience
muscle jerking or stiffening
, or sense things that are not actually present. Complex partial seizures, where a person loses awareness, stares blankly, or may seem to be daydreaming.
Do partial seizures show up on EEG?
Overall, among the 87 simple partial seizures, only 18 (21%) revealed ictal EEG changes. Thus,
a normal EEG is common during
simple partial seizures and does not exclude the diagnosis.
What is the difference between simple and complex partial seizures?
Partial seizures are
further divided into simple or complex
. Simple partial seizures involve a small portion or a focal area of the brain. Complex partial seizures start in one area and travel to another.
Does epilepsy shorten life span?
Reduction in life
expectancy can be up to 2 years for people
with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.
Do seizures show up on MRI?
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the diagnostic tool that identifies structural changes in the brain that may cause
seizures
or be associated with epilepsy.
