What is a seizure? A seizure occurs when a large number of brain cells get excited all at once, which affects individuals differently. There are many different types of seizures which can fall under two distinct categories which separate seizures according to the way they start. These two types of seizures are partial seizures or primary generalized seizures.
Primary generalized seizures occur when the brain become overexcited in both the right and left hemispheres. This is much more widespread, when compared to a partial seizure. A partial seizure occurs in either the left or the right hemisphere, in a localized region only. Generalized types of seizures always occur with widespread electrical activity that occurs at the same time. The person affected will either lose consciousness or exhibit sudden movements, which can vary according to the type of generalized seizure.
People who suffer from partial seizures sometimes have experiences that act a precursor to the actual seizure up to a second before, all the way to a day before having a seizure. This is called an aura. The sensations of an aura can vary. Specifically an aura experienced can result in a person having strange physical and psychological disturbances which can affect sensations, thoughts or, feelings. Some of the sensations affected include taste, sight, and sound, which could manifest as a person suffering from phantom smells, for example. A person may even experience déjà vu or feelings of disconnectedness. Some of the physical disturbances can make a person feel dizzy, lightheaded, numb, or headache, or have a stomachache.
One type of generalized seizure is what was formerly known as a grand mal seizure, or currently is called a tonic-clonic generalized seizure. There are two phases that occur during this type of seizure. During the “tonic” phase – the first phase, a person affected will lose consciousness and their body will become rigid. During the second phase – the “clonic” phase is when a person’s body will tremor or shake for up to several minutes.
Other generalized seizures which don’t have the combined symptoms of the tonic-clonic seizure can simply be referred to as a tonic or clonic type.
Myoclonic seizures are unlike tonic-clonic, because they cause a person to make only jerking movements for up to a couple of seconds.
Still, other types of generalized seizures can affect a person’s conscious awareness. One such seizure is called an absence seizure, where a person loses awareness of his or her self and surroundings for a brief time.
Partial Versus Generalized Seizures
As far as partial seizures are concerned, the subcategories of these types of seizures are divided up according to how a person’s consciousness, memory, and their awareness is affected.
If a person has a seizure in a localized part of his or her brain and neither memory, awareness, nor consciousness is affected, then the person has suffered from a simple partial seizure. On the other hand, if any one of these three mechanisms is affected, then the person has suffered from what is called a complex partial seizure. The way a complex partial seizure affects the body depends upon which localized area affected, since that is the portion controlling a specific part of the body.
Understanding what type of seizure you have is key, so getting an accurate diagnosis is important. This can be done by seeing a qualified physician.
PDF 
