The Signs and Symptoms of Epilepsy

Seizures can be grouped into two broad categories: focal seizures and generalized seizures.

With a focal seizure, the abnormal electrical activity only occurs on one side of the brain. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke stated that about 60 percent of patients with epilepsy have focal seizures.
If a patient has a simple focal seizure, she does not lose consciousness, but can experience unusual sensations or feelings. For example, she may feel sad without an explanation. She may also experience tingling or involuntary jerking of a part of her body, such as her leg.

If a patient has a complex focal seizure, then she can have a change in her level of consciousness, which can include losing consciousness during the seizure. Repetitive behaviors can occur, such as twitching, chewing or blinking, which are called automatisms.

The other broad group of seizures are generalized seizures. With this group of seizures, the abnormal electrical activity affects the entire brain. The symptoms of these types of seizures can range from mild to severe.

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