What are the 2 main types of epilepsy?

There are two major classes or groups of seizures: focal onset and generalized onset.
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What are the most common types of epilepsy?

Temporal lobe seizures, a category of focal seizures, are the most common type of epilepsy.
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What are the 3 types of epilepsy?

They are:
  • generalized epilepsy.
  • focal epilepsy.
  • combined generalized and focal epilepsy.
  • unknown epilepsy.
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How many kinds of epilepsy are there?

There are four types of epilepsies. Each type includes different types of seizures, which cause different symptoms and have different onset (begin in different parts of the brain).
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What is the most serious type of epilepsy?

Overview. A grand mal seizure causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures. A grand mal seizure — also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain.
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Epilepsy: Types of seizures, Symptoms, Pathophysiology, Causes and Treatments, Animation.



What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy?

A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.
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Is epilepsy a disability?

Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.
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What are the 4 types of epilepsy?

Experts now divide epilepsy into four basic types based on the seizures you're having:
  • Generalized epilepsy.
  • Focal epilepsy.
  • Generalized and focal epilepsy.
  • Unknown if generalized or focal epilepsy.
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What is the difference between grand mal and petit mal epilepsy?

Generalized seizures occur when there is widespread seizure activity in the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The different types of generalized seizures are: absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal) tonic-clonic or convulsive seizures (formerly known as grand mal)
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How do I know what type of epilepsy I have?

Having tests like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to look at the brain and EEG (electroencephalogram) tests to record the electrical activity of the brain are very helpful to diagnose types of seizures and epilepsy properly.
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What are the main causes of epilepsy?

Causes of epilepsy
  • a stroke.
  • a brain tumour.
  • a severe head injury.
  • drug abuse or alcohol misuse.
  • a brain infection.
  • a lack of oxygen during birth.
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What is the difference between clonic and myoclonic seizures?

The distinction between myoclonic seizures and clonic seizures is not clear. Classically, clonic seizures are rapid rhythmically recurrent events, whereas myoclonic seizures are single or irregularly recurrent events. Mechanisms are different from those of the clonic phase of generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
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What triggers epilepsy?

What Triggers Epileptic Seizures?
  • Missed Medication. ...
  • Lack of Sleep. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Menstruation. ...
  • The Common Cold...or a Sinus Infection...or the Flu. ...
  • A Whole Host of Other Things.
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What is primary generalized epilepsy?

Primary generalized, or absence, epilepsy is characterized by repeated lapses of consciousness that generally last less than 15 seconds each and usually occur many times a day. This type of seizure is sometimes referred to by the older term petit mal.
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How can you tell the difference between focal and generalized seizures?

Focal seizures are divided into those in which the affected person is aware and those with impaired awareness; these events can be motor or non-motor. Generalized seizures are also categorized as motor and non-motor, but loss of awareness occurs with most events.
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Are you born with epilepsy or does it develop?

It can also happen during birth. You may not get epilepsy until long after your brain injury -- sometimes years later. Brain conditions. Most cases of epilepsy in people older than 35 happen because of brain damage from a stroke or even after brain surgery.
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How many seizures do you have to have to be diagnosed with epilepsy?

A person is diagnosed with epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures. A seizure is a short change in normal brain activity. Seizures are the main sign of epilepsy.
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What is silent epilepsy?

Absence seizures are seizures that generally last just a few seconds, and are characterized by a blank or “absent” stare. Absence seizures usually occur in children between ages 4 to 14, but it's possible to have an absence seizure at any age.
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What are two signs and symptoms of a petit mal seizure?

Typical symptoms include:
  • staring off into space.
  • smacking the lips together.
  • fluttering eyelids.
  • stopping speech in the middle of a sentence.
  • making sudden hand movements.
  • leaning forward or backward.
  • appearing suddenly motionless.
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Are all seizures epilepsy?

Seizures, abnormal movements or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain, are a symptom of epilepsy. But not all people who appear to have seizures have epilepsy, a group of related disorders characterized by a tendency for recurrent seizures.
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What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?

People with epilepsy are successfully employed in a variety of jobs that might be considered high-risk: police officer, firefighter, welder, butcher, construction worker, etc. Epilepsy is a highly variable disorder and it is difficult to generalize about safety issues.
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Does epilepsy affect memory?

The epilepsy may cause difficulties with being able to store memories. Research has shown that people with epilepsy are prone to forget things more quickly than others.
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Is epilepsy a physical or mental illness?

Epilepsy is not a mental illness. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.
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What foods should epileptics avoid?

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.
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How does a neurologist diagnose epilepsy?

The specialist may suggest having a test to check your brain activity called an electroencephalogram (EEG), or a brain scan to look for any problem in your brain. But if these tests do not show anything, it's still possible you have epilepsy, and you may be diagnosed just based on your symptoms.
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