The Epilepsy is the occurrence of sporadic electrical storms in
the brain commonly called seizures. These storms cause behavioral
manifestations (such as staring) and/or involuntary movements (such as grand
mal seizures).
There are several types of epilepsy, each with different causes,
symptoms, and treatments.
When doctor making a diagnosis of epilepsy, your doctor may use
one of the following terms: idiopathic, cryptogenic, symptomatic, generalized,
focal, or partial. Idiopathic means there is no apparent cause. Cryptogenic
means there is a likely cause, but it has not been identified. Symptomatic
means that a cause has been identified. Generalized means that the seizures are
involving the whole brain at once. Focal or partial means that the seizure
starts from one area of the brain.
The Major Types of
Epilepsy
|
Types of
Epilepsy
|
Generalized
Epilepsy
|
Partial Epilepsy
|
|
Idiopathic (genetic causes)
|
- Childhood absence epilepsy
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy - Epilepsy with grand-mal seizures on awakening Others |
- Benign focal epilepsy of childhood
|
|
Symptomatic (cause unknown) or cryptogenic (cause unknown)
|
- West syndrome
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - Others |
- Temporal lobe epilepsy
- Frontal lobe epilepsy Others |
In Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
In idiopathic generalized epilepsy, there is often, but not
always, a family history of epilepsy. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy tends to
appear during childhood or adolescence, although it may not be diagnosed until
adulthood. In this type of epilepsy, no nervous system (brain or spinal cord)
abnormalities, other than the seizures, can be identified on either an EEG or
imaging studies ( MRI). . The brain is structurally normal on a brain magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan. although special studies may show a scar or
subtle change in the brain that may have been present since birth.
People with idiopathic generalized epilepsy have normal
intelligence and the results of the neurological exam and MRI are usually
normal. The results of the electroencephalogram (EEG -- a test which measures
electrical impulses in the brain) may show epileptic discharges affecting the
entire brain (so called generalized discharges).
The types of seizures affecting patients with idiopathic
generalized epilepsy may include:
- Myoclonic seizures (sudden and very short duration jerking of the extremities)
- Absence seizures (staring spells)
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures)
Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is usually treated with medications.
Some people outgrow this condition and stop having seizures, as is
the case with childhood absence epilepsy and a large number of patients with
juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
In Idiopathic Partial Epilepsy
In Idiopathic partial epilepsy begins in childhood (between ages
5 and 8) and may have a family history. Also known as benign focal epilepsy of
childhood (BFEC), this is considered one of the mildest types of epilepsy. It
is almost always outgrown by puberty and is never diagnosed in adults.
Seizures tend to occur during sleep and are most often simple
partial motor seizures that involve the face and secondarily generalized (grand
mal) seizures. This type of epilepsy is usually diagnosed with an EEG
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