Advanced Neurology, Personalized Care

EPILEPSY

Epilepsy: Symptoms, Phases and Treatment

Epilepsy Symptoms

Symptoms will vary depending on the types of seizures you are experiencing.

Absence Seizure Symptoms

Typical & Atypical Absence Seizures

Suddenly remaining very still
Staring blankly
Unresponsive
Chewing, biting, or smacking the lips
Fluttering eyelids or rapidly blinking
Rubbing hands or fingers together
Pulling on or rubbing clothing

Absence Seizure Symptoms

Atypical absence seizures have a slower, gradual onset and end.
Typical absence seizures begin and end abruptly.
Atypical absence seizures last longer than typical ones.
Falling is more common with atypical absence seizures.

Types of Seizures & Their Symptoms

Tonic Seizure Symptoms

Stiffening of limbs
Uncontrollable noise or scream
Tightening chest muscles
Arched back
Eyes rolling back
Blue skin due to lack of oxygen

Clonic Seizure Symptoms

Repeated jerking of the limbs
Loss of consciousness (if generalized)
Tingling or numbness
Confusion or sleepiness

Tonic-Clonic (Convulsive) Seizure Symptoms

Convulsive shaking
Loss of bladder control
Muscle jerking and stiffening
Tonic seizure symptoms followed by clonic seizure symptoms

Atonic Seizure Symptoms

Loss of muscle control
Slumping head or body
Falling
Drooping eyelids
Jerking

Myoclonic Seizure Symptoms

Brief twitching or jerking of muscles
Shock-like sensations
Generally localized (e.g., arms, legs, extremities)
Person remains conscious

Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures)

Commonly described as an "aura"
Change in feeling, vision, smell, hearing, and taste
Jerking muscles in the face or a limb
Sudden emotional changes
Difficulty with speech, hearing, or vision
Tingling and numbness
Increase in blood pressure or heart rate
Hallucinations
No loss of consciousness

Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures)

Loss of awareness or consciousness
Blank stare
Chewing or smacking lips
Repeating words
Sudden emotional changes
Grasping the air or clothes

Phases of Seizures

There are three phases of seizures: aura, ictus, and postictal.

Aura Phase

Auras are focal aware seizures that can cause changes in

Smell
Taste
Vision
Emotion
Feeling

They can be a precursor to tonic-clonic seizures.

Ictal Phase (Ictus)

The active seizure phase. Symptoms depend on the type of seizure.

Postictal State

Post = after | Ictal = seizure

Following a seizure, a person may experience:

Weakness
Confusion
Drowsiness
Memory gaps
Nausea
Headaches
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Hearing or vision loss

Take Control of Your Life

Don’t let epilepsy and seizures steal your time, body, and energy. Let us help you take control of your life again.

Understanding the signs of epilepsy will help expedite the process of establishing a proper diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing your unique symptoms may give you time to take precautionary measures before experiencing an attack.

Our epilepsy team performs neurological examinations, blood tests, EEGs (Electroencephalogram), MRIs, or CT scans to pinpoint the exact cause of your seizures and develop the safest treatment options.

If you suspect you have epilepsy and would like to speak with an epilepsy specialist, contact us today.

Epilepsy Causes

What Causes Epilepsy?

In about 50% of cases, epilepsy has no specific cause. The other 50% of cases may be linked to:

Genetics – Certain genetic mutations can increase epilepsy risk. These mutations usually affect how neurons are stimulated. However, even those with these mutations may never develop epilepsy. Genetic predisposition accounts for 30-40% of epilepsy cases.
Head Trauma – Injuries from auto accidents, falls, or blows to the head can trigger epilepsy.
Brain Disorders – Conditions such as stroke or brain tumors can cause seizures, especially in older adults.
Infections – Epilepsy can result from HIV, tuberculosis, or bacterial meningitis, which affect the central nervous system.
Prenatal Conditions – Brain damage in unborn babies due to oxygen deficiency, maternal infection, or poor nutrition can lead to epilepsy.
Alcohol Withdrawal –

Epilepsy Triggers & Risk Factors

Common Epilepsy Triggers

A trigger is something that can bring on a seizure. Triggers vary from person to person but may include:

Sleep deprivation
Not taking epilepsy medication regularly
Drug or alcohol abuse
Flashing lights

Epilepsy Risk Factors

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing epilepsy:

Premature birth & low birth weight
Abnormal blood cells in the brain
Environmental toxins (e.g., lead exposure)
Family history of epilepsy
Substance abuse
Brain tumors
Stroke
Head trauma
Autism spectrum disorder

Get Expert Help

If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline, early diagnosis is key to effective management. Consult with our neurology specialists for personalized assessment and care plans.

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Our Locations

Main Office - Cumberland, United States

Our main office is located in Cumberland, United States. Our doctors have office hours at additional locations in the Hagerstown area to better serve our patients.