An absence seizure is brief, usually less than 15 seconds and has barely noticeable symptoms. Nevertheless, loss of consciousness even for a brief period can make it dangerous. It is important to note that seizures involve momentary changes in the brain activity.
Indications of an absence seizure
An absence seizure typically affects children between 5-9 years old but can also occur among adults. Children diagnosed with epilepsy might suffer from both absence and grand mal seizures.
The indications of an episode include the following:
- Fluttering eyelids
An absence seizure typically affects children between 5-9 years old but can also occur among adults. - Staring out into space
- Smacking of the lips
- Appearing motionless suddenly
- Stopping in the middle of a sentence
- Leaning forward or backward
- Sudden hand movements
Management
Absence seizures are managed using anti-seizure medications. Determining the right medication involves a trial and error approach and might take time. The doctor might start with a low dose and make the necessary adjustments based on the results.
Some of the medications that are used to manage an absence seizure include:
- Lamotrigine
- Ethosuximide
- Valproic acid
Certain activities might be dangerous for those with seizures. Remember that an absence seizure can cause momentary loss of awareness. Swimming and driving during an episode can cause an accident or drowning.
The doctor will instruct the individual to limit activity until sure that the seizure is under control. A medical identification bracelet might be worn to inform others what to do during an emergency.
Complications
An absence seizure usually lasts between 10-15 seconds. The individual returns to his/her normal behavior after an episode. In most cases, the individual does not usually remember the past few moments or the seizure. Some episodes can last for up to 20 seconds.
In most instances, the only long-standing effects of an absence seizure occurs if the individual falls or is injured. Always bear in mind that falls are not common during an episode. An individual can experience an episode several times in a day without any ill-effects.
Others are the first to notice the seizures. The reason for this is that the individual is not aware that he/she is experiencing a seizure. Children with this type of seizure often outgrow it. Just remember though that they can continue. In some individuals, the episodes become longer or more intense.