What happens if absence seizures go untreated?

Usually absence seizures last no longer than 15 seconds, but that loss of consciousness can make paying attention in school and learning more difficult especially when they occur multiple times a day. Children who have absence seizures may miss things throughout the day and even risk getting hurt.

Are absence seizures harmful to the brain?

While absence seizures occur in the brain, they don't cause brain damage. Absence seizures won't have any effect on intelligence in most children. Some children may experience learning difficulties because of their lapses in consciousness. Others may think they're daydreaming or not paying attention.

Can absence seizures turn into epilepsy?

Absence seizures are a type of epilepsy, a condition that causes seizures. Seizures are caused by abnormal brain activity. These mixed messages confuse your brain and cause a seizure. Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy.

Are absence seizures harmful?

Absence seizures are generally not harmful, and many children outgrow them by puberty. However, about 10% of children may develop other seizure types later in life. It's important to talk to your child's doctor right away if you are concerned they are experiencing any type of seizure.

Should I worry about absence seizures?

Contact 911 or emergency services in your area: If you observe prolonged automatic behaviors lasting minutes to hours — activities such as eating or moving without awareness — or prolonged confusion, possible symptoms of a condition called absence status epilepticus. After any seizure lasting more than five minutes.

Absence seizure, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Can absence seizures cause death?

Untreated Absence Seizures Leads to Sudden Death.

Can absence seizures turn into grand mal?

About a quarter of people who have absence seizures will develop another type of generalized seizure called tonic-clonic seizures (formerly called ''grand mal'' seizures). The vast majority of children, however, will outgrow them.

How long can a seizure last before brain damage?

If convulsive status epilepticus lasts for 30 minutes or longer it can cause permanent brain damage or even death.

Do absence seizures need to be treated?

Most children respond to treatment with anticonvulsant medication. In most children — up to 75% — absence seizures goes away by their teen years and medications are no longer needed.

Do absence seizures make you tired?

After the seizure, most children return to what they were doing just before the seizure started as if nothing happened. But they won't recall what just happened, or if someone talked to them during the seizure. Rarely, a child might feel confused or tired, have a headache, or have other symptoms.

Can stress cause absence seizures?

Some people experience symptoms similar to those of an epileptic seizure but without any unusual electrical activity in the brain. When this happens it is known as a non-epileptic seizure (NES). NES is most often caused by mental stress or a physical condition.

What should you do after an absence seizure?

Absence seizures.

This kind of seizure will only last a few seconds, and the person experiencing it will typically not realize that they even had it. Absence seizures do not require any intervention. Just stay calm, and once the seizure is over, treat the person as you normally would.

What does an absence seizure look like on an EEG?

In the case of childhood absence seizures, EEG shows bilaterally synchronous and symmetrical 3-Hertz spike-and-wave discharges that start and end abruptly. These discharges can sometimes have maximum frontal amplitude or begin with unilateral focal spikes[2].

What triggers absence seizures?

Causes. Seizures result from overactivity in the brain. Absence seizures occur most often in people under age 20, usually in children ages 4 to 12. In some cases, the seizures are triggered by flashing lights or when the person breathes faster and more deeply than usual (hyperventilates).

How long can an absence seizure last?

Typical Absence Seizures

The person suddenly stops all activity. It may look like he or she is staring off into space or just has a blank look. The eyes may turn upwards and eyelids flutter. The seizures usually last less than 10 seconds.

How do you stop absence seizures without medication?

What does a seizure feel like in your head?

You're not likely to lose consciousness, but you might feel sweaty or nauseated. Complex focal seizures: These usually happen in the part of your brain that controls emotion and memory. You may lose consciousness but still look like you're awake, or you may do things like gag, smack your lips, laugh, or cry.

Is it OK to sleep after a seizure?

After the seizure: they may feel tired and want to sleep. It might be helpful to remind them where they are. stay with them until they recover and can safely return to what they had been doing before.

Can seizures be life threatening?

Seizures can be fatal, but dying from a seizure is uncommon . Epilepsy is a group of conditions in which people have seizures. However, a person without epilepsy can also have a seizure. Many seizure deaths come from external factors like drowning, falling, or choking that occur during a seizure.

Can you feel a seizure coming on?

A Déjà vu feeling (you feel like you are experiencing something that has occurred before) Intense fear and panic. 'Pins and needles' sensation in certain parts of your body. Jerky movements in of the arm, leg, or body.

Does epilepsy shorten your life?

Summary: On average, people with epilepsy live 10-12 years fewer than those who do not have the condition. Excess mortality is particularly pronounced among people with epilepsy and mental disorders. On average, people with epilepsy live 10-12 years fewer than those who do not have the condition.

Do you stop breathing during a seizure?

During a tonic-clonic or grand mal seizure (think convulsive seizure), it may look like the person has stopped breathing. This is because the chest muscles tighten during the tonic or “stiffening” part of seizure. The person will usually start breathing on his or her own after the seizure.

What is the best medicine for absence seizures?

Ethosuximide (Zarontin).

This is the drug most doctors start with for absence seizures. In most cases, seizures respond well to this drug.

Can absence seizures return in adulthood?

Absence seizures are most common in children and adolescents. They can also start in adulthood. This is called an adult new-onset seizure.

Can overthinking cause 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.