Epilepsy
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Definition
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Risk Factors
Classification Of Seizures
The first division to make is into partial and generalised which describe the area of the brain affected. The definitions are:
- Partial seizures involve a localised area of the brain
- Generalised seizures involve the whole brain
Partial Seizures
Partial seizures can be further divided into simple and complex which describe the effect on consciousness. The definitions are:
- Simple partial seizures do NOT cause a loss of consciousness
- Complex partial seizures DO cause a loss of consciousness
Generalised seizures
These always results in a loss of consciousness and as such cannot be classified in this way. The most important types of generalised epilepsy are:
- Absences
- Tonic-clonic seizures
There are four other types of seizure which are considered generalised but are less common: myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic seizures and atonic seizures