Generalized Epilepsy
A tendency to have recurrent seizures that involve both brain hemispheres from onset, including absence, myoclonic
Symptoms
- Sudden loss of consciousness
- Recurrent seizures involving the entire body
- Stiffening of the muscles (tonic phase)
- Rhythmic jerking movements of the arms (clonic phase)
- Brief staring spells of awareness (absence seizures)
- Sudden muscle jerks (myoclonic seizures)
- Sudden loss of muscle tone causing falls (atonic seizures)
- Confusion or drowsiness after a seizure (postictal state)
- Tongue biting during seizures
- Loss of bladder or bowel control during severe seizures
- Temporary memory loss after seizures
- Fatigue or headache following a seizure
A tendency to have recurrent seizures that involve both brain hemispheres from onset, including absence, myoclonic, and tonic-clonic seizures. Often has a genetic basis. Diagnosis relies on EEG and clinical history. First-line treatment is valproate or lamotrigine, with newer agents like levetiracetam and perampanel used for better tolerability. Most patients achieve good seizure control with medication alone. Surgery is not typical since the abnormality is diffuse, though vagus nerve stimulation may help drug-resistant cases.
