Epilepsy
- Symptoms
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Below are the two main types of epilepsy, and their respective symptoms:
- Focal seizures
- Usually affects only one part of the body
- Results in sensory, motor or autonomic disturbances
- The patient may be conscious or unconscious
- Generalised seizures
- May start as a focal seizure and spread throughout the whole brain
- Loss of consciousness usually lasting 30 seconds to 5 minutes
- Usually rhythmic muscle jerking lasting 1 to 2 minutes
- May cause tongue biting, incontinence and difficulty in breathing
When should you seek emergency treatment for epilepsy?
If a person experiences continuous seizures for more than 3 to 5 minutes; or on-and-off seizures without regaining consciousness in between, call 995 or go to the Emergency Department immediately.
He/she is having a serious seizure and this is a medical emergency.
