What is complex partial epilepsy?
Complex partial seizures refer to focal seizures that start in one hemisphere of the brain and are associated with impairment in consciousness. Complex partial seizures are now preferably called “focal impaired awareness seizure” or “focal onset impaired awareness seizure.”
What happens in a complex partial seizure?
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. Afterward, you may not remember at all.
What are the causes of complex partial seizures?
Causes of complex partial seizures
- psychological distress or trauma.
- neurologic conditions.
- extreme stress.
- anxiety and depression.
- autism.
- other medical conditions related to the brain.
- damage caused prior to birth.
- neurofibromatosis.
What is the treatment for complex partial seizures?
Medication is the most common treatment for CPS. Anti-seizure (or anti-epileptic) medications can be very helpful. It may take a few tries to find the right drug and the right dose. The doctor will monitor for side effects to find the best option.
Do complex partial seizures show on EEG?
EEG. During a complex partial seizure, the EEG most often shows paroxysms of spikes, slow waves, or other abnormalities in channels overlying the temporal or frontotemporal region.
Can you drive with complex partial seizures?
Some states will license people with seizure disorders if they only have seizures during sleep (nocturnal epilepsy), or if they have simple partial seizures in which they remain aware and able to drive safely. Some people have a long aura (or warning) before a seizure, allowing them to pull safely off the road.
What benefits can you claim if you have epilepsy?
You may be entitled to benefits, depending on how your epilepsy affects you. This might include Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance. You will need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for these benefits.
What does a partial seizure feel like?
Others may experience stomach upset, dizziness, a shiver, a tingling or burning sensation, pallor or flushing. Occasionally there will be the experience of déjà vu during which a person has the sensation of having experienced something before. The seizure usually begins suddenly and lasts seconds to minutes.
What is complex partial seizures in adults?
A complex partial seizure is a type of seizure that arises in one lobe of the brain, rather than the whole brain. The seizure affects people’s awareness and may cause them to lose consciousness.
Is complex partial seizures a disability?
If you don’t automatically qualify for disability benefits under the SSA’s official listing for epilepsy, above (say you have had grand mal seizures twice a year or complex-partial seizures once a month), as the next part of the disability determination process, the SSA is required to consider the effect of your …
Do partial seizures cause brain damage?
It is important to remember that seizures usually do not cause brain damage, unless they last for more than 30 to 60 minutes. However, you should call for emergency help if any of the following occurs: Your child has trouble breathing during the seizure and the child’s color changes.
Can stress cause complex partial seizures?
Consider the following: Stress makes or releases certain hormones related to the nervous system that can impact the brain. Areas of the brain important for some types of seizures, for example partial seizures, are the same areas of the brain involved in emotions and responding to stress.
What is the difference between simple and complex partial seizures?
Partial seizures are divided into simple, complex and those that evolve into secondary generalized seizures. The difference between simple and complex seizures is that during simple partial seizures, patients retain awareness; during complex partial seizures, they lose awareness.
Do complex partial seizures cause memory loss?
Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory (hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.
Are partial seizures curable?
Children who have simple partial seizures will sometimes “outgrow” seizures and will not experience them as adults. Others may need to take anti-seizure medications all their lives. Simple partial seizures can be treated in a range of ways, such as treating an underlying disease or prescribing a specific medication.
What is the life expectancy of a person with epilepsy?
Reduction in life expectancy can be up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.