What Are The Major Types Of Seizures?

Atonic Seizures

An atonic seizure is also known as a drop seizure and occurs when an individual experiences a sudden loss of muscle tone, which causes their body or head to become limp. Some patients may fall forward or collapse if they're standing. Some children with atonic seizures only experience dropping of the head, rather than the rest of the body. With a focal onset atonic seizure, the electrical activity begins in just one portion or side of the brain. When both sides of the brain are involved, it's called a general onset atonic seizure. In some individuals, just part of the body becomes limp, but others experience full limpness in their muscles. Patients might drop what they're holding, nod their heads, fall to the floor, or have drooping eyelids. An atonic seizure is very quick and usually over within fifteen seconds. It's possible that individuals might injure their heads when they fall, and some may benefit from wearing head protection to avoid injury. Patients who have generalized atonic seizures usually aren't fully aware of their surroundings during the event, though some do remain entirely conscious and aware.

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Absence Seizures

Absence seizures last only a few seconds and they cause patients to stare into space or lose awareness of their surroundings. Due to how fast these seizures end, they may not be noticed or may be mislabeled as normal zoning out. Another name for absence seizures is petit mal seizures. They most commonly occur in children, and the majority of cases don't involve long-term problems. Some children may have an absence seizure after they've hyperventilated for some time. Children from four to fourteen years old are most susceptible to absence seizures. Some children can have ten to one hundred seizures per day without anyone noticing. Absence seizures can impair learning and adversely affect a child's concentration, so it's important to diagnose and treat the issue. Some children have just one absence seizure, while others have multiple. The diagnosis of epilepsy typically comes after the child has experienced two or more seizures. An absence seizure might occur alongside other types of seizures. Children often grow out of this type of seizure, and it's unusual for adults to experience these symptoms. With that said, it is possible to have an absence seizure regardless of age.

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