Four Types of Epilepsy You Should Know About

  Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder in India — beaten out only by headaches. With approximately 12 million people in the country living with epilepsy, India contributes to almost one-sixth of the global epilepsy cases. But although we describe all these cases with the common term, there are several types of epilepsy, which are characterized by different types of seizures. Identifying what type of epilepsy a patient has, allows their loved ones to get them personalised treatment plans from the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal brain activity. It’s most common effects are seizures, unusual behavior, sensations, and a loss of awareness. However, the causes of the symptoms, their triggers, and how they affect the body depend on the type. Let’s take a closer look at the four most common kinds of epilepsy.

Focal Seizures

Some kinds of epilepsy are characterized by an abnormal discharge of electricity to a particular part of the brain. This discharge triggers a seizure. A focal seizure in the temporal lobe is a very common example. Focal Seizures have a myriad of causes including:

• Head trauma
• Stroke
• Tumors
• Underlying medical conditions
• Genetics

If you have an epileptic condition that falls under this category, you may experience:

• Altered behaviors, thoughts, or movements
• Loss of consciousness
• Spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness, and flashing lights
• Lack of response to your surroundings
• Repetitive movements such as hand rubbing, chewing, or walking in circles

Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

Also called primary generalized epilepsy, it covers a category of seizures known as generalized seizures. These occur when abnormal electric shock spreads over both hemispheres of the brain, which could lead to six distinct types of seizures:

• Absence seizures — usually seen in children, these seizures cause a person to stare off into space and is usually accompanied by subtle movements, such as blinking or lip-smacking, and loss of awareness.
• Tonic seizures — these seizures affect the muscles in your back, arms, and legs, causing them to stiffen. It may result in loss of balance and mobility
• Atonic seizures — these are also known as drop seizures because they’re mainly characterized by sudden collapsing caused by a loss of muscle control
• Clonic seizures — these are characterized by rhythmic jerking movements in the neck, face, and arms
• Myoclonic seizures — they are characterized by sudden jerking movements in the patient’s arms and legs
• Tonic-Clonic seizures — this is most people’s idea of what epilepsy looks like, as it is what is commonly depicted in the media. The seizures cause the body to stiffen and convulse

No one is sure what causes these seizures, but the leading thought is that there is a genetic link to the condition. 

Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy

This is a particularly rare form of epilepsy with a strong genetic component. It is thought to result from hereditary metabolic disorders. It’s symptoms include:

• Unsteadiness
• Muscle rigidity
• Intellectual disabilities

Interestingly, unlike the myoclonic seizures that occur in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy, the convulsions that accompany this type of epilepsy occur outside of the seizure itself. As such, it often doesn’t react in the same way to anticonvulsants.

Reflex Epilepsy

This is the kind of epilepsy that you may be most familiar with. It is characterized by seizures that are triggered by environmental stimuli, such as flashing lights, sounds, and even reading and writing in some cases. South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes lived with this kind of epilepsy, triggered by impact to the head. Reflex epilepsy usually begins in childhood, and most people outgrow it by adulthood, with the help of certain medications. 

 Most people’s idea of epilepsy is very different from reality. We are used to the on-screen portrayal of a dramatic collapse and convulsions, but while that may occur in some types of epilepsy, it is certainly not the case all the time. Some types of epilepsy are so subtle that you may not even notice if the person next to you is having a seizure. But as people become more aware of the types of epilepsy, they can better recognize if they, or someone they know, are living with the condition. And that makes it easier for them to find the perfect treatment plan at the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore