Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Complications and What You Can Do
November 19, 2013
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Many people think having a seizure involves convulsions, shaking and essentially passing out for a period of time. Others might think if someone has a seizure, they must have epilepsy. Both assumptions are incorrect.
Mayo Clinic Health System neurologist Andrew Reeves, M.D., helps explain epilepsy and seizures.
Symptoms and types of seizures.
Categorized as a spectrum disorder because of the wide range of causes and effects, epilepsy impacts people differently. Some common symptoms of a seizure include:
- Uncontrolled jerking movements of the arms and legs
- Short-term confusion
- Psychological symptoms
- Loss of awareness
- Becoming unconscious
Though these are general symptoms, physicians typically separate seizures into two categories, focal or generalized. Both result from abnormal brain activity. Read more in the news release.