Epileptic seizures are generally brief (usually seconds to minutes), often dramatic episodes that usually alter awareness, and may cause complete loss of consciousness. In such a circumstance, the person experiencing the seizure will have an incomplete recollection, or none at all of the event itself, and onlookers will need to provide a description of what happened to health personnel. The initial symptoms (eoften the most helpful in categorising a particular seizure.
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Furthermore, because awareness can be lost very rapidly, and in some cases without warning, those prone to seizures need to be very circumspect about certain activities. Seizing while driving, swimming, bathing alone or using machinery, for example, has the potential for harm to self or others. Most seizures are self-limited, and not life-threatening in themselves. Occasionally, seizures do not stop, a situation known as status epilepticus. This is a medical emergency, has a high mortality, and requires immediate medical attention. Other possible complications of epilepsy are discussed below.
Reviewed by Dr Andrew Rose-Innes, MD, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven.
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