The seizure attacks can either be focal or generalised, based on the point of activity inside the brain. There are 2 types of seizures related to epilepsy, that are as follows -:
1. Focal Seizures
Focal seizures are those caused by abnormal activity in just one area of your brain. These seizures are divided into two categories:
a. Seizures without loss of consciousness – The patient retains consciousness during an aware focal seizure, previously called a simple partial seizure. Symptoms include –
- Change of taste, hearing, smell, touch or other sensations.
- Feeling of dizziness.
- Tingling and twitching sense in the limbs.
b. Focal seizures with impaired awareness – Focal unaware seizures involve a failure to be aware of one's surroundings while they are occurring. The symptoms include –
- Staring blankly
- Unresponsiveness
- Performing some repetitive movements
2. Generalised Seizures
A generalised seizure occurs with the involvement of all areas of the brain. It is of six types, and they are as follows -
- Absence seizures - Absence seizures are also known as petit mal seizures. They cause short episodes of loss of awareness, a blank stare, and repetitive movements such as blinking and lip-smacking.
- Tonic seizures - Tonic seizures are characterised by sudden stiffness or involuntary movements in the muscles of your trunk, arms, or legs.
- Atonic seizures - A sudden loss of muscle reflexes causes atonic seizures. They can also cause you to lose muscle control and fall suddenly to the ground.
- Clonic seizures - A person having a clonic seizure may exhibit repeated involuntary contractions of the muscles in the face, neck and limbs.
- Myoclonic seizures - It can cause a person's arms and legs to twitch quickly. These seizures may occur spontaneously or as clusters.
- Tonic-clonic seizures – Previously called grand mal seizure, is characterised by the following symptoms –
Stiffening of the body
Shaking
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Biting of the tongue
Loss of consciousness