Petit mal seizures can stop as abruptly as they start. After it happens, the person who had the seizure will return to what she was doing and have no memory of having blanked out or had a seizure. [4] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source If, for instance, someone was talking and suddenly had a petit mal seizure, she would continue her sentence after the seizure ended as if nothing had happened.
In atypical petit mal seizures, you might notice the head bobbing up and down. [6] X Research source Check for fluttering eyelids. [7] X Research source If the individual’s eyelids are rapidly opening and closing, he might be having a petit mal seizure. Blinking hard or excessively are also indications of a potential petit mal seizure. During a petit mal seizure, the eyes may roll upwards or become unfocused.
In certain rare cases, you might also notice bodily shaking during the seizure. Jerking motions or small twitches could suggest that another type of seizure is occurring at the same time as the petit mal seizure. [8] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
If someone has many symptoms associated with a petit mal seizure, ask him when he comes out of the seizure whether he felt something strange or “off” just before he went into the seizure. Complex partial seizures and petit mal seizures are often confused because they are quite similar.
After the seizure is over, the person who had the seizure will not remember the event, and will resume what she was doing. Speak softly to the person who had the seizure and let her know what happened. If she does not respond, or appears to be ignoring you, she might still be having a seizure. The average absence seizure lasts 15 – 30 seconds. If they last longer, or if the person suffering the seizure has one after another in quick succession, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. In either case, call 911 and report a medical emergency.
The doctor might direct you to get an EEG (a simple procedure that measures brainwaves) to test for irregularities in your brainwave pattern. [12] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Your doctor may order a CT scan, which uses many x-rays to create an image of the head, including the brain. Your doctor can use this to look for scar tissue, masses or brain damage that might be causing the seizures. You might also need an MRI. Similar to the CT scan, the MRI provides the doctor with a detailed image of your brain to help locate the cause and location of any issues in the brain. [13] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source In addition, your doctor may also order blood tests to exclude other possible diseases and potentially help uncover the source of the seizures.
What is the cause of these seizures? Will I need medication to manage the seizures? Can I continue to participate in normal activities like driving, playing baseball, and swimming?
Ethosuximide is the standard treatment for seizures. Valproic acid is another useful seizure medication, but is not recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Lamotrigine is the least effective seizure medication, but it also has the fewest side effects. Always use the medication prescribed by your doctor as directed. After two years without a seizure, most children can begin to reduce the amount of medication they need to take.
Life on a ketogenic diet can be difficult. Many foods that you or your child formerly enjoyed — cookies, macaroni and cheese, and soda — will be off-limits when on a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is also useful in cases where drug treatment proves ineffective. It is unclear why a ketogenic diet work to reduce seizures, but one theory argues that when the liver burns fat for energy, certain compounds (known as ketone bodies) are produced that protect brain cells.
Do not eat or drink within three hours of going to bed. This will help you sleep more soundly. Before going to bed, do something relaxing that doesn’t involve a TV or computer screen. These screens can disrupt natural sleep patterns. Read a book or listen to a podcast. Ensure you have a quiet, dark room at a comfortable temperature. Turn your mattress over regularly to keep it comfortable. [18] X Research source
Call the Epilepsy Foundation at 800-332-1000 or visit its website (https://www. epilepsy. com/). You can access the Foundation’s local chapter database at https://www. epilepsy. com/affiliates.
