What are different types of seizures?
Seizures are usually distinguished by whether or not they involve the whole brain (generalized type) or just part of the brain (partial seizure). Often a good description of how a seizure started, how it evolved and ended can help your doctor to understand whether a seizure is generalized or partial. EEG findings can also help doctors to understand better the type of seizure a patient is having. • Generalized Absence seizures are very short, usually 3-10 seconds. There may be a sudden pause in speech and activity, staring, eyelid drooping or fluttering, slight head nod, but sudden resumption of activity immediately after the seizure is over. • Generalized Myoclonic seizures consist of sudden lightning-like jerks of the limbs and/or body. They may or may not cause the person to fall. They last a fraction of a second and the person recovers immediately after. Sometimes they can be mixed with a different seizure such as an absence or tonic seizure. • Generalized Atonic (Akinetic) seizures
