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It is important to know the types of epileptic seizures because each type has different symptoms and characteristics. So, by understanding the types of seizures caused by epilepsy, the signs of seizures can be recognized more quickly so that appropriate treatment can be given immediately.

Epilepsy occurs due to abnormal patterns of electrical activity in the brain. This condition then triggers excessive electrical activity between brain cells, resulting in seizures.

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Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Seizures in epilepsy are divided into several types with different symptoms. The type of epileptic seizure experienced by the sufferer depends on which area of ​​the brain is affected and the extent to which that part of the brain is affected by disturbances in electrical activity.

Types of Generalized Epileptic Seizures

Seizures in epileptic sufferers are generally divided into two types, namely generalized seizures and focal seizures. In this type of generalized epileptic seizure, disturbances in electrical activity affect all parts of the brain so that symptoms appear almost throughout the body. This type of generalized epileptic seizure often leaves the patient unconscious.

Generalized epileptic seizures consist of several types. The following is the explanation:

1. Absence seizure

One ​​type of common epileptic seizure is absence seizure or petit mal. When someone experiences this seizure, they will usually stop carrying out certain activities suddenly and remain silent with a blank stare. 

Apart from that, he may also make small movements, such as blinking his eyes, chewing his lips, or movements such as rubbing his hands.

Absence seizures are often not noticed by other people around the sufferer because they last very briefly, namely less than 10 seconds, and can appear like normal daydreaming. 

2. Atonic seizures

Atonic seizures are a type of generalized epileptic seizure that causes one or all of the body's muscles to suddenly relax.

If they affect one muscle group, such as the head or neck, atonic seizures can cause that part of the body to droop. However, if it affects all the muscles in the body, this spasm can cause the sufferer to fall, especially if they are in a standing position.

Atonic seizures usually last less than 15 seconds. However, in some cases, atonic seizures can also last for several minutes.

3. Tonic seizures

The opposite of atonic seizures, tonic seizures cause the body's muscles to suddenly become tense or stiff. This type of generalized epileptic seizure can affect parts of the body, such as the arms or legs, or the whole body and often causes the sufferer to fall.

Atonic seizures usually last less than 20 seconds and often occur while the sufferer is asleep.

4. Clonic seizures

The next common type of epileptic seizure is clonic seizures. In these seizures, sufferers will usually experience rapid and repetitive jerking movements in certain parts of the body, such as the arms and legs. This movement usually lasts less than 1–2 minutes.

5. Myoclonic seizures

Just like clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures also cause the epileptic sufferer's body to experience sudden, rapid jerking movements. The difference is that jerking movements due to this type of epileptic seizure only occur once and last less than 1–2 seconds.

Apart from that, jerking movements due to myoclonic seizures also usually occur when you wake up and occur in the neck, shoulders and upper arms.

6. Tonic-clonic seizures

As the name suggests, this type of generalized epileptic seizure is a combination of tonic and clonic seizures. Usually, these seizures begin with a tonic phase, where the body suddenly becomes stiff. After that, the sufferer will experience a clonic phase, where the muscles begin to twitch or jerk repeatedly.

This type of epileptic seizure usually occurs so strongly that it causes the sufferer to lose consciousness or faint and fall. Apart from that, when tonic-clonic seizures occur, sufferers also sometimes scream or moan, bite their tongue, and drool.

Tonic-clonic seizures usually last 1–3 minutes. After the seizure episode ends, the sufferer may become sleepy or confused.

Types of Focal Epileptic Seizures 

Focal epileptic seizures in the medical world are also known as partial epileptic seizures. In contrast to generalized epileptic seizures, in this type of epileptic seizure, the disturbance of electrical activity that occurs in the brain only affects one part of the brain. 

Well, because it only affects one part of the brain, the symptoms that arise due to focal epileptic seizures only affect certain parts of the body.

Just like generalized epileptic seizures, focal epileptic seizures are also divided into several types. The following is the explanation:

1. Simple focal seizures

Simple focal seizures are a type of focal epileptic seizure that does not cause loss of consciousness. This means that when this seizure occurs, the sufferer knows what is happening and is aware of the situation around him. Apart from that, sufferers can also explain what is or has just happened to them. 

When this seizure occurs, one side of the sufferer's body usually moves suddenly and uncontrollably or feels tingling. Simple focal seizures usually last less than 2 minutes.

2. Complex focal seizures

In contrast to simple focal seizures, complex focal seizures can cause the sufferer to lose consciousness. This means that when this type of focal epileptic seizure occurs, the sufferer does not faint but he does not know what is happening and is not aware of his surroundings.

When a complex focal seizure occurs, the sufferer is usually unresponsive when called, the eyes appear blank and look upwards, and make repetitive movements such as blinking or moving their fingers. This type of seizure usually lasts 1–2 minutes.

Treatment of Epileptic Seizures

During an epileptic seizure episode, the sufferer is vulnerable to injury, especially if he loses consciousness and falls. Therefore, to prevent injury, first aid for people suffering from epileptic seizures is very important. 

style="font-weight: 400;">Do not try to hold or stop the body of a sufferer who is having an epileptic seizure.

  • Position the sufferer's body to one side, left or right, with his mouth towards the floor to prevent him from choking.
  • Place something soft, such as a shirt, jacket, pillow, or other mat under the sufferer's head during the seizure.
  • Do not put any objects in the sufferer's mouth during the seizure because it could risk obstructing breathing.
  • Loosen tight clothing, especially around the patient's neck.
  • Position the patient's head tilted to the right or left, to prevent vomit from entering the throat.
  • Immediately call for medical assistance from the emergency room or the nearest health facility.
  • Accompany the sufferer until the seizure stops and the sufferer regains consciousness.
  • When the sufferer arrives at the hospital, the doctor will carry out an examination first to find out whether the seizure that occurred was indeed caused due to epilepsy or not.

    If the examination results show that the seizure is caused by epilepsy, the doctor will then provide further treatment, for example by prescribing anti-seizure medication. For certain cases, epileptic seizures can also be treated with surgery or the use of special devices to regulate the electrical activity of the brain and prevent recurrence of seizures.

    Epileptic sufferers can also undergo a ketogenic diet to help control symptoms and support treatment. However, the effectiveness of this diet in treating epilepsy is still controversial and needs further research. 

    These are several types of epileptic seizures that we need to know about. If you or someone close to you experiences symptoms that resemble one or more of the types of epileptic seizures above, don't delay in consulting a neurologist via the chat feature available in the ALODOKTER application. That way, appropriate treatment can be given immediately.

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