This refers to the seizures that begin in one part of the brain. The location of the seizure in the brain is determined by the part of the body affected. The seizure occurs when a surge in the electrical activity of the brain happens which result from a number of can cause such as brain tumor or infections. In order to treat the seizure, it is important to determine the underlying cause. The partial seizures are categorized as simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures.
Simple partial seizure
This usually occurs on one side of the brain although it can spread. During the course of the seizures, which can last less than 5 minutes, the individual is alert and fully awake. This is more likely to develop in individuals with a brain infection, stroke and head injury. The treatment includes medications, surgery and diet which can all help prevent the onset of seizures. The simple partial seizures are divided based on the types of symptoms and the location of the body affected.
- Motor seizures cause changes in the muscle activity that can present jerking movements of the fingers or the stiffening of various parts of the body.
- Sensory seizures can create changes in any of the senses that present symptoms such as smelling or hearing things that are not there. In addition, they can also experience visual hallucinations and illusions.
- Autonomic seizures affect the nervous system of the body that controls various bodily functions. The symptoms include unpleasant sensations of the head, stomach or the chest.
- Psychic seizures tend to alter the way people think and experience things by presenting symptoms such as garbled speech and memory problems.
Complex partial seizure
This can occur in the small area of the temporal lobe of the brain or the frontal lobe but can also involve other areas of the brain. Individuals experiencing this type of seizure do not realize what has happened. Some individuals perform movements known as automatisms which can include purposeless actions such as moving their mouth for no reason. Others may do things that can be dangerous such as walking into the traffic and hence it is necessary for them to take precaution in advance. Sometimes, this seizure can develop into secondarily generalized seizures that can last less than 2 minutes and the person may experience confusion after for 15 minutes. This mainly occurs as the result of head injury, brain infection and stroke although in most cases the cause remains unknown. The treatment is based on medications to prevent the onset of seizures along with vagus nerve stimulation and diet therapy. The untreated seizures can result in complications such as memory impairment and in rare cases death.
References
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/complex-partial-seizures
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/simple-partial-seizures
