-- the symptoms of typical and atypical petit mal seizures to ask Chris about...

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Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

Petit mal seizures occur in 2 out of 1,000 people. They are most common under

age 20, usually in children ages 6 to 12. They may occur in combination with

other types of seizures.

Typical petit mal seizures last only a few seconds, with full recovery and no

confusion. They manifest themselves as staring episodes or " absence spells "

during which the child's activity or speech ceases. The child may stop talking

in mid sentence or cease walking. One to several seconds later speech or

activity resume. If standing or walking a child seldom falls during one of these

episodes. " Spells " can be infrequent or very frequent occurring many times per

hour. They can interfere with school function and learning. Teachers may

interpret these seizures as lack of attention or other misbehavior.

Atypical petit mal seizures begin slower, last longer, and may have more

noticeable muscle activity than typical petit mal seizures. There is usually no

memory of the seizure.

Petit mal seizures generally present a very characteristic appearance on the

EEG.

No cause can usually be found for typical petit mal seizures. No neurologic or

other disorders are usually discovered. Atypical seizures may or may not be

associated with other neurologic disorders.

Symptoms

TYPICAL

muscle activity changes:

no movement

hand fumbling

fluttering eyelids

lip smacking

chewing

consciousness changes

staring episodes (unintentional)

lack of awareness of surroundings

sudden halt in conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)

may be provoked by hyperventilation in some cases

abrupt beginning of seizure

each seizure lasts only seconds

full recovery of consciousness, no confusion

no memory of seizure

ATYPICAL

atonic seizure

no muscle movement

slumping, loss of posture

loss of muscle tone

falling down

consciousness changes

unintentional staring

lack of awareness of surroundings

sudden stop of conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)

hand fumbling

fluttering eyelids

may be provoked by hyperventilation in some cases

may have slower, gradual beginning of seizure

each lasts only seconds to minutes

recovery may be slower

may have short period of confusion

no memory of seizure

http://content.health.msn.co.uk/content/asset/adam_disease_absence_seizure