What are the three types of epilepsy?

Table of Contents

They are:

generalized epilepsy.
focal epilepsy.
combined generalized and focal epilepsy.
unknown epilepsy.

What is the most common trigger of epilepsy?

What are some commonly reported triggers?

Specific time of day or night.
Sleep deprivation – overtired, not sleeping well, not getting enough sleep, disrupted sleep.
Illness (both with and without fever)
Flashing bright lights or patterns.
Alcohol – including heavy alcohol use or alcohol withdrawl.

What are reflex anoxic seizures?

Also known as: Infantile Vasovagal Syncope; Reflex Asystolic Syncope. RAS is a particular type of convulsive syncope (transient loss of consciousness) with stiffening and or shaking. It is neither epileptic (see entry Epilepsy), nor due to deliberate breath-holding.

What is startle epilepsy?

Startle epilepsy is a rare form of reflex epilepsy, or condition in which seizures are reliably induced by sensory stimuli. Startle-provoked seizures typically arise between the ages of 10 months and 14 years and are seldom diagnosed in adults.

What is the rarest form of epilepsy?

What is Dravet syndrome? Dravet syndrome is a rare, genetic epileptic encephalopathy that gives rise to seizures that don’t respond well to seizure medications. It begins in the first year of life in an otherwise healthy infant.

What is the mildest form of epilepsy?

Absence seizures (formerly called “petit mal” seizures) are very brief and do not cause the person to fall or have significant shaking movements. Typical absence seizures involve a sudden cessation of movement, with staring and sometimes with blinking.

What foods triggers epilepsy?

Stimulants such as tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, sweets, soft drinks, excess salt, spices and animal proteins may trigger seizures by suddenly changing the body’s metabolism. Some parents have reported that allergic reactions to certain foods (e.g. white flour) also seem to trigger seizures in their children.

What are the warning signs of epilepsy?

Symptoms

Temporary confusion.
A staring spell.
Stiff muscles.
Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.
Loss of consciousness or awareness.
Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu.

What causes reflex seizures?

Reflex epilepsies (REs) are epileptic events precipitated by external stimuli, internal mental process, or both. Some external stimuli are simple such as light flashes, fixation-off, hot water, visual, vestibular, auditory or tactile stimuli, or complex such as reading or listening to music.

How do I stop anoxic reflex seizures?

Reflex anoxic seizures can usually be managed just with reassurance. Drug treatment is usually not needed. Parents should be advised to place the child in the recovery position. Pacemaker insertion is the only definitive treatment and is only used for frequent, severe cases [3, 4].

Can too much TV cause epilepsy?

Background: Television as an external stimulation can precipitate epileptic seizures. Today this kind of epilepsy is known as television epilepsy. As children spend much of their time watching television, it is important to study this type of epilepsy in this age group.

How do you treat startle seizures?

Carbamazepine, clonazepam, clobazam, and lamotrigine are sometimes prescribed for patients with startle epilepsy. Surgery has been reported to control startle epilepsy associated with infantile hemiplegia, but startle epilepsy is typically intractable.

Does epilepsy get worse with age?

The incidence of any type of seizure increases substantially over the age of 60, commonly due to other neurological conditions such as dementia or stroke.

Are you born with epilepsy or does it develop?

Epilepsy and seizures can develop in any person at any age. Seizures and epilepsy are more common in young children and older people. About 1 in 100 people in the U.S. has had a single unprovoked seizure or has been diagnosed with epilepsy. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.

What is silent epilepsy?

Overview. Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They’re more common in children than in adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring blankly into space for a few seconds.

Which exercise is best for epilepsy?

In fact, some research has shown that regular sessions of aerobic exercise (for example running, walking, swimming, or cycling) can result in a significant reduction in the number of seizures for some people, as well as having other health benefits.

What should you avoid if you have epilepsy?

white bread; non-wholegrain cereals; biscuits and cakes; honey; high-sugar drinks and foods; fruit juices; chips; mashed potatoes; parsnips; dates and watermelon. In general, processed or overcooked foods and over-ripe fruits.

What is the first stage of epilepsy?

Stage 1: Aura

This phase happens right before a seizure starts and is a warning that it is about to happen. The symptoms come on quickly and may only last a few seconds. If you have an aura, you may have: Deja vu (a sense that something has happened before when it hasn’t)

Does reflex epilepsy go away?

In many cases, seizures in reflex epilepsy are well controlled with low doses of medication. Some people do outgrow their seizures, but the decrease in the chance for seizures may not happen for many years: 75% of people with photosensitive reflex epilepsy continue to have seizures after age 25 if not treated.

What does a reflex seizure look like?

It usually manifests as focal seizure and can rarely be generalized. Initial symptoms are stunned looking, the feeling of fear, senseless speech, auditory and visual hallucinations, and complex automatisms. They may have spontaneous seizures without hot water exposure.

Are reflex anoxic seizures rare?

Key points. Reflex anoxic seizure occurs in up to 0.8% of children and are a non-epileptic events. This can often be misdiagnosed as an epileptic fit.

Can I drive a car with epilepsy?

To drive, you must meet all normal driving requirements and must have been completely free of seizures for one year, with or without taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Different regulations may apply if your seizures do not affect your consciousness (see below).

What is sunflower syndrome?

Sunflower Syndrome (also referred to as Self-induced Photosensitive Epilepsy) is a rare epileptic disorder characterized by a distinctive seizure that manifests itself in a highly stereotyped physical behavior.

What causes startle epilepsy?

Startle epilepsy (or startle-induced seizures) is a type of reflex epilepsy whereby a seizure is caused by a sudden and unexpected stimulus.

What type of disorder is associated with an increase in the startle reflex?

Hyperekplexia, otherwise known as familial startle disease, is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by an exaggerated startle reaction in response to sudden, unexpected auditory or tactile stimuli.