Since epilepsy is based on abnormal activity of brain cells, any activity in which brain tissue is involved may be affected.
Seizures can produce.
Brief blurring of consciousness
Gaze
Uncontrolled limb twitching
Loss of consciousness
The symptoms of a seizure are related to its type. In most cases, the same patient has multiple seizures with essentially the same type of seizure each time.
Doctors generally distinguish seizures as focal or generalized based on the abnormal activity of brain tissue.
Focal seizures.
When seizures appear to be caused by abnormal activity in a portion of the brain tissue, they are called focal or partial seizures and can be divided into two types.
Simple partial: These seizures do not result in loss of consciousness. There may be mood changes, or abnormalities in vision, smell, hearing, touch, or taste. There may be involuntary twitching of a portion of the limb, such as one upper or lower limb, or spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling sensations, vertigo, or flashing lights.
Complex partial: These seizures have an altered state of consciousness, causing the patient to lose consciousness for a period of time. Complex partial seizures often present with staring and purposeless movements —- such as rubbing hands, chewing, swallowing, circling, etc.
Generalized seizures.
Seizures appear to involve all brain tissues and there are six seizure forms.
Disoriented seizures: characterized by staring and tiny movements with a brief loss of consciousness.
Tonic seizures: seizures in which the muscles of the back, upper and lower limbs are tonic and can cause the patient to fall.
Clonic seizure: rhythmic jerking of the limbs, neck and facial muscles during seizure.
Myoclonic seizure: sudden, brief jerking of the upper or lower extremities during a seizure.
Atonic seizure: loss of muscle tone during seizure and sudden fall.
Tonic-clonic seizure, the most intense type of seizure, loss of consciousness, generalized rigidity, tremors, sometimes urinary incontinence or biting of the tongue.