From the Guidelines
Partial seizures, now referred to as focal seizures, exhibit symptoms that vary depending on the affected brain region, including unusual sensations, visual disturbances, and automatisms, with some individuals remaining conscious while others experience altered awareness. The symptoms of partial seizures, or focal seizures, can be diverse and depend on the specific area of the brain involved. According to the most recent guidelines 1, common symptoms include:
- Unusual sensations like tingling or numbness
- Visual disturbances such as flashing lights
- Unexplained feelings of fear or joy
- Déjà vu experiences
- Unusual smells or tastes Patients may also experience automatic movements like lip smacking or hand rubbing, called automatisms. Some people remain conscious during these seizures (focal aware seizures), while others experience altered awareness (focal impaired awareness seizures) 1. In some cases, focal seizures can spread to both sides of the brain, becoming generalized tonic-clonic seizures. These symptoms occur because abnormal electrical activity disrupts normal brain function in specific regions. The duration typically ranges from seconds to minutes. If someone experiences these symptoms repeatedly, they should seek medical evaluation as seizures can be managed with appropriate anti-seizure medications, which work by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain.
From the Research
Symptoms of Partial Seizures
The symptoms of partial seizures can vary depending on the type of seizure and the area of the brain affected.
- Simple partial seizures may include:
- Focal motor or somatosensory phenomena 2
- Special sensory phenomena, such as visual or auditory hallucinations
- Autonomic symptoms, such as changes in heart rate or blood pressure
- Psychic symptoms, such as feelings of fear or anxiety
- Complex partial seizures may include:
- Other symptoms that may occur during partial seizures include:
- Pain, although this is a rare manifestation 4
- Loss of impairment of consciousness, which can range from a slight decrease in awareness to a complete loss of consciousness 2, 3
- Motor signs and symptoms, such as twitching or convulsions 5
- Somatosensory and special sensory signs and symptoms, such as numbness or tingling 2, 3
Classification of Partial Seizures
Partial seizures can be classified based on the symptoms and the area of the brain affected.
- Simple partial seizures are characterized by a focal onset and no impairment of consciousness 2
- Complex partial seizures are characterized by a focal onset and impairment of consciousness 2
- The classification of partial seizures is important for determining the best course of treatment and for identifying the underlying cause of the seizures 3, 5