Symptoms of Epilepsy

The symptoms of epilepsy may vary from person to person. Epilepsy symptoms depend on the type of epilepsy, causes of epilepsy and vary in intensity according to the person afflicted. Epilepsy symptoms of each type can affect people differently. Seizure is the first known epilepsy symptom.

Most of the people with epilepsy don't have any symptoms of epilepsy between seizures. And some people with epilepsy don't show any symptoms for years. Most of the people with epilepsy experience the same type of seizure each time and therefore show similar epilepsy symptoms each time. But some people with epilepsy experience different types of seizures and therefore show different epilepsy symptoms each time.

Partial Seizure Epilepsy Symptoms

In this of type of seizures only one part of the brain is involved and therefore only one part of the body is affected. The epilepsy symptoms may vary depending on the part of the brain involved. They include rhythmic movements or jerks, strange sensations and repetitive movements

Simple Partial Seizure Epilepsy Symptoms

Simple Partial Seizure Epilepsy Symptoms may include autonomic, motor, psychic and sensory symptoms.

Autonomic Symptoms of Epilepsy include:

• Nausea or Vomiting
• Sweating
• Incontinence
• Flushing
• Pupillary dilation
• Piloerection
• Rapid heart rate

Motor Symptoms of Epilepsy include:

• Unusual eye movements
• Turning of the head on the same side
• Asymmetrical posturing of limbs
• Alternating relaxation and contraction of muscles
• Difficulty in speaking

Psychic Symptoms of Epilepsy include:

• Memory distortion
• Time distortion
• Dreamy state
• Unprovoked emotions like anger, depression, eroticism, fear, pleasure and displeasure
• Depersonalization

Sensory Symptoms of Epilepsy include:

• Dizziness
• Able to hear buzzing, hissing and humming noises
• Seeing illusions, flashes of lights and hallucinations
• Lightheadedness
• Experiencing unpleasant odors

Complex Partial Seizures Epilepsy Symptoms

People with complex partial seizures may have the symptoms of simple partial seizures. But in this type, people may lose consciousness. The symptoms of complex partial epilepsy include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss
• Facial expressions of fear, crying or laughter
• Chewing
• Lip smacking
• Hand rubbing
• Swallowing
• Arm positioning
• Repetitive hands or fingers movements
• Wandering
• Confused
• Dazed
• Anger
• Violent behavior

Generalized Seizures Epilepsy Symptoms

In this of type of seizures all the parts of the brain are involved. Loss of urine is the most common symptom found in people with generalized seizures. Rhythmic movements of arms and legs are also common. The person with this type of seizure may not appear to be breathing.

Absence (Petit mal) Seizures Epilepsy Symptoms

This type of seizure is most common during childhood. The symptoms of absence seizures include:

• Repetitive blinking
• Person is often seen staring blankly
• Impairment of consciousness
• Lack of awareness
• Changes in facial expressions

Myoclonic Seizures Epilepsy Symptoms

The symptoms of myoclonic seizures include:

• Sudden jerks of legs of arms
• Loss of consciousness

Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizures Epilepsy Symptoms

The symptoms of tonic-clonic seizures include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Extension of arms or legs
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Increased slivation
• Sweating