Are focal seizures the same as partial?

Are focal seizures the same as partial?

Focal seizures are also called partial seizures since they begin in one area of the brain. They can be caused by any type of focal injury that leaves scar tangles. Medical history or MRI will identify a cause (such as trauma, stroke or meningitis) in about half of the people who have focal seizures.

What does a focal seizure look like?

Patients experiencing a complex focal seizure may stare blankly into space, or experience automatisms (non-purposeful, repetitive movements such as lip smacking, blinking, grunting, gulping or shouting).

What does a partial seizure look like?

A simple partial seizure may also be referred to as a focal seizure without loss of consciousness. A complex partial seizure will cause you to lose awareness and consciousness. During this type of seizure, you might also make nonpurposeful movements. For example, you might smack your lips, rub your hands, or swallow.

What happens during a partial seizure?

Seizures are brought on by surges of electrical energy in your brain. With a complex partial seizure, the surge happens only on one side and in a specific area. It’s called “partial” because only one part of your brain is affected. During this type of seizure, you may not be able to control your movements or talk.

What causes partial focal seizures?

All seizures are caused by abnormal electrical disturbances in the brain. Partial (focal) seizures occur when this electrical activity remains in a limited area of the brain. The seizures can sometimes turn into generalized seizures, which affect the whole brain. This is called secondary generalization.

What triggers focal seizures?

Seizures occur when nerve cells in the brain send out sudden, excessive, uncontrolled electrical signals. Focal seizures occur when nerve cells in a part of the brain are involved. The way the child acts during a focal seizure depends on the area of the brain that is affected (See next page).

Can you talk during focal seizure?

Patients with simple partial seizures remain awake and aware throughout the seizure, and some patients can even talk during the episode.

Can stress cause focal seizures?

Emotional stress also can lead to seizures. Emotional stress is usually related to a situation or event that has personal meaning to you. It may be a situation in which you feel a loss of control. In particular, the kind of emotional stress that leads to most seizures is worry or fear.

How do you feel after a focal seizure?

You might feel fine after a focal seizure and be able to get back to what you were doing straight away. Or you might feel confused or tired for some time afterwards. You might need to sleep. Some people find they have temporary weakness or can’t move part of their body after they’ve had a seizure.

Do focal seizures go away?

Focal impaired awareness seizures: These are sometimes known as complex partial seizures or complex focal seizures. These disrupt your awareness of what’s happening. If you have an aura, it will happen before any disruption in your awareness. These usually last no more than three minutes.

Will an EEG show past seizures?

The likelihood of recording a seizure during a routine EEG is small. The EEG generally records brain waves between seizures, called interictal brain waves. These waves may or may not show evidence of seizure activity.

Can a blood test tell if you had a seizure?

The blood test, which must be used within 10 to 20 minutes after a seizure, can identify the types of seizures called generalized tonic-clonic seizures and complex partial seizures in both adults and older children.