What is focal complex partial seizure?

Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizures (complex partial seizures) content highlights. A seizure that starts in one area or side of the brain and the person is not aware of their surroundings during it is called focal (onset) impaired awareness seizure.

What are the signs of a complex partial seizure?

Symptoms of complex partial seizures

• stare blankly or look like they’re daydreaming.
• be unable to respond.
• wake from sleep suddenly.
• swallow, smack their lips, or otherwise move their mouth repetitively.
• pick at things like the air, clothing, or furniture.
• say words repetitively.
• scream, laugh, or cry.

What is the best medicine for complex partial seizures?

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol, Equetro) Carbamazepine is effective for treatment of complex partial seizures.

What are 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.

What happens after a complex partial seizures?

Complex partial seizures usually last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Afterward, you may be confused and tired for 15 minutes or longer. You will not remember the seizure at all. You may lose memories from before the seizure started, too.

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 can trigger complex partial seizures?

Anyone can have a complex partial seizure, and doctors don’t always know why they happen. They’re often related to a type of epilepsy called temporal lobe epilepsy. They also may be more common in people who have had a stroke or head injury or who have other health problems, like an infection in their brain or a tumor.

What happens during a complex partial seizure Medscape?

Epilepsy Foundation: “Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizures (complex partial seizures),” “First Aid for Complex Partial Seizures,” “What Happens During a Seizure?” “Vagus Nerve Stimulation,” “Dietary Therapies,” “Seizure First Aid.” Medscape: “Complex Partial Seizures.” Epilepsy Foundation (Greater Chicago): “What Is Epilepsy?”

How are seizures classified by the International League against epilepsy?

International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 2017 classification has categorized seizures based on three key features: the location of seizure onset, level of awareness during a seizure, and other features of seizures. Focal seizures refer to the epileptiform activity starting in one area on one side of the brain.

When do you have a simple focal seizure?

A partial (focal) seizure happens when unusual electrical activity affects a small area of the brain. When the seizure does not affect awareness, it is known as a simple partial seizure. Simple partial seizures can be: Simple focal seizures are also known as auras.

How are seizures related to impairment of awareness?

A person’s ability to respond may be impaired. Some seizures make the person unable to move yet still aware of what is happening around them. Impairment of awareness is similar to the concept of impairment of consciousness. Some focal impaired awareness (complex partial) seizures can spread to both sides of the brain.