Complex
Partial Seizures
Recognizing a Complex Partial Seizure
Complex partial
seizures affect a larger area of the brain than simple partial seizures and
they affect consciousness. During a
complex partial seizure, a person cannot interact normally with other people,
is not in control of his or her movements, speech or actions; doesn't know what
he or she is doing; and cannot remember afterwards what happened during the
seizure. Although someone may appear to
be conscious because he or she remains standing with their eyes open and moving
about, it will be an altered consciousness—a dreamlike, almost trancelike
state. A complex partial seizure is
often accompanied by movements called automatisms. These may include chewing
movements of the mouth, picking at clothes or fumbling. A person may even be able to speak, but the
words are unlikely to make sense and he or she will not be able to respond to
others in an appropriate way.
Typically, a complex partial seizure starts with a blank stare and loss of contact with surroundings. This is often followed by chewing movements with the mouth, picking at or fumbling with clothing, mumbling and performing simple, unorganized movements over and over again. Sometimes people wander around during complex partial seizures. Actions and movements are typically unorganized, confused and unfocused during a complex partial seizure. However, if a complex partial seizure suddenly begins while someone is in the middle of a repetitive action—like dealing cards or stirring a cup of coffee—he or she may stare for a moment then continue with the action during the seizure, but in a mechanical, unorganized kind of way.
Typically, a complex partial seizure starts with a blank stare and loss of contact with surroundings. This is often followed by chewing movements with the mouth, picking at or fumbling with clothing, mumbling and performing simple, unorganized movements over and over again. Sometimes people wander around during complex partial seizures. Actions and movements are typically unorganized, confused and unfocused during a complex partial seizure. However, if a complex partial seizure suddenly begins while someone is in the middle of a repetitive action—like dealing cards or stirring a cup of coffee—he or she may stare for a moment then continue with the action during the seizure, but in a mechanical, unorganized kind of way.
First
Aid for Complex Partial Seizures
- Do not restrain the person.
- Remove dangerous objects from the person's path.
- Calmly direct the person to sit down and guide him or her from dangerous situations. Use force only in an emergency to protect the person from immediate harm, such as walking in front of an oncoming car.
- Observe, but do not approach, a person who appears angry or combative.
- Remain with the person until he or she is fully alert.
Public
Understanding
Every day,
people living with this type of epilepsy go to work, take care of their
children, take part in sports, ride buses, cross busy streets, go on
escalators, wait for trains and—perhaps most difficult of all—risk having a
seizure in front of a public that too often does not understand.
Dealing with the reactions of others may be the biggest challenge of all for people with complex partial seizures. That's because many people find it hard to believe or accept that behavior which looks deliberate may not be.
Dealing with the reactions of others may be the biggest challenge of all for people with complex partial seizures. That's because many people find it hard to believe or accept that behavior which looks deliberate may not be.
No comments:
Post a Comment