Epilepsy is characterized by seizures of any type that occur on a chronic, recurrent basis and have no known cause. In addition to seizures, there may be other symptoms or signs, such as changes in mood or energy level, dizziness, fainting, confusion, and memory loss.
An aura (sensations indicating a seizure is imminent), occur in some persons just prior to a generalized seizure.
Symptoms of generalized seizures
Petit mal seizures:
Minimal or no movements (usually, except for "eye blinking") -- may appear like a blank stare
Brief sudden loss of awareness or conscious activity -- may only last seconds
Recurs many times
Occurs most often during childhood
Decreased learning (child often thought to be daydreaming)
Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures:
Whole body, violent muscle contractions
Rigid and stiff
Affects a major portion of the body
Loss of consciousness
Breathing stops temporarily, then "sighing"
Incontinence
Tongue or cheek biting
Confusion following the seizure
Weakness following the seizure
Symptoms of partial seizures
Simple partial (focal) seizures:
Muscle contractions of a specific body part
Abnormal sensations
May have nausea, sweating, skin flushing, and dilated pupils
May have other focal (localized) symptoms
Partial complex seizures:
Automatism (automatic performance of complex behaviors)
Abnormal sensations
May have nausea, sweating, skin flushing, and dilated pupils
May have other focal (localized) symptoms
Recalled or inappropriate emotions
Changes in personality or alertness
May or may not lose consciousness
Olfactory (smell) or gustatory (taste) hallucinations or impairments -- if temporal focus
Signs and tests
The diagnosis of epilepsy and/or seizure disorders involves a history of recurrent seizures of any type. A physical examination, including a detailed neuromuscular examination, may be normal or may show focal neurologic deficits (localized abnormalities of brain functions).
An electroencephalograph (EEG), a reading of the electrical activity in the brain, usually confirms the presence of various types of seizures. It may, in some cases, indicate the location of the lesion causing the seizure. A normal EEG does not rule out a seizure disorder.
Tests for the cause may include various blood tests (as appropriate depending on the suspected cause), including:
A CBC
A blood chemistry, blood glucose
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
Tests for infectious diseases
A CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) analysis
Tests for the cause may include procedures such as:
A head CT or MRI scan
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap)