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Epilepsy is an abnormal neurological disorder in which there is disturbance in the normal brain function. There are different types of epilepsy, and epilepsy symptoms vary according to which type of epilepsy affect the patient. The most common epilepsy symptoms are recurrent episodes of seizures that are abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. Seizures typically lasts from few seconds to few minutes or it may continue for long time as in the case of status epileptics. And the person may remain alert or lose consciousness. Aura: some patients have aura that occurs prior to the onset of each seizure attack. Aura include: abnormal sensations as smell taste and feeling, and often it's difficult for the patient to tell the doctor by this epilepsy symptoms as it can be a quite vague feeling. Epileptic seizures usually occur suddenly without any warning. Once the abnormal electrical activity in the brain stops the brain activity begins to return to normal situation, and the seizure attack is over. Epilepsy symptoms during seizures: During an actual absence attack, the symptoms that appear on the patient can vary dramatically according to the type of seizure as we mention earlier. But in general there are various neurological manifestations of sensory disturbances including (Sensory hallucinations), loss or alterations in consciousness, motor convulsions and drop attacks. On the other hand classic generalized tonic-clonic seizure is with full body convulsions and this is the most common for general public. There are many types of seizures that do not involve any convulsions, or they may involve only one part of the body. Types of epilepsy (epilepsy symptoms for each type): Epilepsy symptoms depend on the type and the location of the seizure in the brain. The following are the most common types of seizures: Generalized seizures: In generalized seizures both lobes of the brain are involved initially, then the seizure spread to involve the entire cerebral cortex. This type always include alterations or loss of consciousness and the patients are unaware what happens during seizures and so have no recent memory of the events that happened during seizures.

1. Grand Mal (Tonic-Clonic): Also called generalized tonic-clonic seizures, its a form of generalized seizures which leads to loss of consciousness and convulsions. In the typical tonic-clonic seizures which starts by a tonic phase in which the patient loses its consciousness and has a generalized increase in muscle tone, this is usually causing arching of the back and extension to the head and limbs. Clonic phase follows tonic phase and is characterized by convulsions of the entire body. 2. Absence (petit Mal): This generalized seizures under diagnosed in children as they presents as staring spells, staring straight ahead and not responding to their

environment and stimuli. There are an alterations or loss in consciousness. Although the epilepsy symptoms of these seizures do not include convulsions, there can be subtle "automatism" during the seizures as lips smacking. 3. Infantile spasm: This type of seizures occurs in very young children who suffer from epilepsy. They may occur just one time (in clusters) or they may occur many times a day. They are usually brief and characterized by sudden bending and stiffening of the body, arms and legs.

Partial seizures: Unlike generalized seizures, partial seizures do not include the entire brain. Partial seizures vary according to which part of the brain are affected during seizure. If the sensory parts of the brain are affected then epilepsy symptoms may include sensory disturbances and convulsions, and if the motor area affected this results in convulsions of that part of the body (only one arm or leg).

1. Simple partial: It is characterized by normal level of consciousness during the seizure attack. This means that the patient is aware of his surroundings. 2. Complex partial: In complex partial seizures there is alterations or loss of consciousness, although only one part is involved in this type of seizures the patient losses consciousness, unaware of the surroundings and has no memory of the event. 3. Secondary generalized: In this there is spread of the sizure from part of the brain to involve the rest of the brain, this is known as 2ry generalization. Therefore epilepsy symptoms initially may include manifestations like partial seizures but after seconds or minutes the patient becomes completely unconscious and has generalized seizure activity.

In general epilepsy symptoms may produce: 1. 2. 3. 4. Loss of consciousness or awareness. Temporary confusion. A staring spell. Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.

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