Seizures are brought on by surges of electrical energy in your brain. 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.
What are the symptoms of complex partial seizures?
- 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 causes complex seizures?
A complex partial seizure is a type of seizure that arises in one lobe of the brain, rather than the whole brain. The
seizure affects people’s awareness and may cause them to lose consciousness
.
What is the difference between simple and complex 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
. The person will be unable to respond to questions or direction for up to a few minutes.
What are the 4 types of seizures?
There are four main types of epilepsy:
focal, generalized, combination focal and generalized, and unknown
. A person’s seizure type determines what kind of epilepsy they have. Different types of seizures affect the brain in different ways.
What are three major seizures?
- Generalized onset seizures:
- Focal onset seizures:
- Unknown onset seizures:
Do complex partial seizures damage the brain?
While
most seizures do not cause damage to the brain
, some may lead to changes that may impact brain structure or cognitive functions.
What does a complex partial seizure mean?
Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizures
(complex partial seizures) content highlights. A seizure that starts in one area or side of the brain and the person is not aware of their surroundings during it is called focal (onset) impaired awareness seizure.
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.
Can stress cause complex partial seizures?
Stress makes or releases certain hormones related to the nervous system that can impact the brain. Areas of the brain important for some types of seizures, for example partial seizures, are the same areas of the brain involved in emotions and responding to stress.
What’s the worst type of seizure?
A grand mal seizure
causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It’s the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures. A grand mal seizure — also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain.
What are warning signs of a seizure?
- Staring.
- Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
- Stiffening of the body.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.
Can you remember a seizure?
The seizures usually only last up to 15 seconds and
you will not be able to remember them
. They can happen several times a day.
How many seizures is too many?
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 doctors tell if you had a seizure?
An electroencephalogram (EEG)
.
The EEG may reveal a pattern that tells doctors whether a seizure is likely to occur again. EEG testing may also help your doctor exclude other conditions that mimic epilepsy as a reason for your seizure.
What should a person do after a seizure?
loosen any tight clothing around their neck, such as a collar or tie
, to aid breathing. turn them on to their side after their convulsions stop – read more about the recovery position. stay with them and talk to them calmly until they recover. note the time the seizure starts and finishes.
