Have you ever seen your little one suddenly look at you after playing or listening to something you say? It's like he's not in this world. He doesn't respond to you when you talk to him. After a few seconds, he's back to normal. You might think, "Oh, he's just lost in a dream world." But sometimes, it's not as simple as we think. This could be a condition called an absence seizure .
What is this 'Absence Seizure'? To put it very simply...
An absence seizure, also known as a petit mal seizure, is a very brief seizure-like condition. It occurs when you are completely unaware of your surroundings. For example, you are doing something, talking to someone, or listening to something, and suddenly you stop . It starts without any warning , usually lasting three to fifteen seconds. Then you pick up where you left off, as if nothing had happened.
Now, if someone who doesn't know this well sees it, they might think you're dreaming, or your mind is somewhere else, or you're not paying attention to what's being said. But what's really happening is a small seizure inside your brain, a seizure-like condition. This 'Absence Seizure' is a type of generalized seizure . There are two types of this, ``typical'' and ``atypical''. The best part is that a doctor can help control this condition with medication.
How common is absence seizures? Who gets them most often?
Statistically, it is estimated that between six and eight out of every 100,000 children under the age of 15 experience this 'absence seizure' every year. However, it is not that common among adults. It is most commonly seen among young children.
What are the symptoms of this condition? How do you recognize it?
Symptoms of an absence seizure include:
- Suddenly, for a short moment, you stare, like a "blank stare."
- I am losing consciousness of what is happening around me.
- The things you were doing while you were in the Caesarean section (like talking and walking) stop completely.
- Sometimes there may be blinking, a head tilt, or involuntary movements of the hands or mouth (like pursing the lips). We call these ``automatic movements''.
After the Caesar is finished:
- You can resume what you left off.
- You may feel like you're missing out on what's happening around you.
- Sometimes you may not even realize anything has happened , and you may feel as if you are in good spirits and thinking clearly.
These symptoms can occur several times a day, or they can occur infrequently, like once every few weeks or months.
Are you conscious during an absence seizure?
No. You are not conscious during an absence seizure. Because the symptoms occur within a few seconds, this temporary disruption may or may not affect the conversation or activity you were doing. You can then return to it as soon as the seizure is over.
However, if you have two or more seizures in a row, you may appear confused and may become distracted by other things around you. For example, you may miss instructions from your teacher or something someone said in a conversation while you are having a seizure.
How long has this Caesar been around?
Typically, a ``typical absence seizure'' lasts from three to fifteen seconds (``3-15 seconds``). A ``atypical absence seizure'' can last longer.
Why do absence seizures occur? What is the cause?
Simply put, it's caused by a sudden burst of electrical activity from the neurons in your brain . These neurons receive the wrong instructions and send too many electrical signals to different parts of the brain.
Researchers believe that there may be a genetic component to this condition. Research is still ongoing into how the condition is passed down from generation to generation and the specific genes involved.
What are the triggers for this condition?
`Triggers` are things in your environment that can trigger these symptoms. Things like these can contribute to an absence seizure:
- Bright, flashing lights.
- Breathing loudly and deeply (hyperventilating) .
Who is at higher risk of developing this?
You may be at higher risk of having an absence seizure if you:
- Having another type of seizure (such as ``grand mal seizures'', ``myoclonus'', or ``atonic seizures'').
- Some seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, and gabapentin) can sometimes increase the risk of absence seizures.
Things to know about absence seizures in children
Although absence seizures can occur at any age, they are most common in young children. They usually begin between the ages of 3 and 13, with a peak incidence around 6-7 years of age.
Is absence seizure dangerous?
"Usually these are not dangerous."
This is because they are often short-lived, and convulsions are rare. For example, if you have an absence seizure while standing, you are unlikely to fall to the ground. Instead, you will remain where you are for a few seconds.
What complications can this cause?
Depending on the type of absence seizure you have and how often it occurs, these things may happen:
- It's hard to concentrate.
- Difficulty following instructions.
- Having difficulty learning at school.
- Accidental injuries occur.
Also, activities that require full attention – such as driving, swimming, and hiking – may not be safe until the condition is under control. Your doctor will prescribe medication to control your symptoms, and you will be able to do these activities safely. Your doctor will also teach you how to stay safe if you have this condition.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose an absence seizure?
A doctor will diagnose an absence seizure after a physical exam and other tests. During the exam, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. It is important to remember what symptoms you are experiencing and what happened before, during, and after the seizure. If these events occur at school or work, talk to someone you spend a lot of time with and ask if they have noticed any unusual behavior.
You can do tests like this:
- Hyperventilation test: Breathing too loudly (hyperventilating) can trigger an absence seizure. A doctor will ask you or your child to blow continuously on a piece of paper or a toy wind chime for about two minutes.
- EEG (electroencephalogram) test: In this test, sensors are placed on the skin of your head to monitor the electrical activity in your brain. Absence seizures are detected by a specific brain wave pattern.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT scan (computed tomography scan): These imaging tests look for any abnormalities in the brain that could cause a seizure.
- Blood and urine tests: Your doctor may order these tests to see if there is another underlying medical condition that is causing the seizure.
Often, people who are unaware that you are having an absence seizure may mistake it for a prank or a dream. For many, this misunderstanding can lead to a delay in diagnosis.
What is the difference between 'Typical' and 'Atypical' Absence Seizures?
There are two types of absence seizures: 'typical' and 'atypical'.
- In a typical absence seizure, all that happens is that you stare and lose consciousness.
- In atypical absence seizures, you may see other physical behaviors, such as staring and losing consciousness, as well as eye blinking and hand shaking. These usually last longer than typical ones. Atypical absence seizures usually occur together with other types of seizures and are more likely to affect children with learning disabilities and severe epilepsy.
What are the treatments for this?
Absence seizures are treated with antiseizure medications . Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and recommend a medication that is right for you.
In some cases, if you don't respond well to medication, your doctor may recommend a ketogenic diet . This is a high-fat, low-carb eating plan. Although there is little medical evidence to support the benefits of this type of diet for this type of cancer, it may be helpful for some people.
If symptoms cannot be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes, a doctor may consider surgery .
Medications given
A doctor may prescribe one of these medications to treat absence seizures:
- `Ethosuximide (Zarontin ®)`
- `Lamotrigine (Lamictal ®)`
- `Topiramate (Topamax ®)`
- `Valproate (Depakene ®)`
Some anticonvulsant medications – for example, phenytoin, carbamazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, and vigabatrin – are not usually used to treat absence seizures. They can make the seizures worse.
Be sure to let your doctor know if your symptoms get worse or if you experience any side effects from your medication. You may find relief by changing the dosage or switching to a different medication.
Who is the medical team helping you?
A team of specialists will help you manage your absence seizures. This team may include:
- Neurologists
- Family doctors (Primary care physicians - PCPs)
- Dietitians
- Mental health professionals
Can absence seizures be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent absence seizures in the first place. This is largely due to genetic factors. However, once diagnosed, the best way to prevent seizures is to take your medication exactly as prescribed and to stay in close contact with your doctor.
What should someone with an absence seizure expect?
Although they are short-lived, absence seizures are very disruptive. You may have them infrequently or frequently. Some people report having 10 to 30 absence seizures a day. Sometimes, especially in children, there can be hundreds of seizures a day. They can affect your ability to learn and concentrate on a task. However, there are good treatment options, and medications can usually control the symptoms successfully.
Many children outgrow their absence seizures by adolescence. Children who have only absence seizures, without other types of seizures, are most likely to outgrow them completely.
Seizures can have a major impact on your mental health, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Many people find it helpful to talk to a mental health counselor while receiving other treatments.
How do I know for sure if my child is just dreaming or having an absence seizure?
This is a very important question. A quick way to find out if your child is dreaming is to talk to him.
- Daydreaming: Usually comes from boredom, and starts gradually. If you talk to him, he will probably respond to you.
- Absence Seizure: If your child has an 'absence seizure', they will not be able to respond to you during the seizure. Their loss of attention is sudden and cannot be stopped.
Imagine your child is playing. If you call their name and they look at you and ask, "What's up, Mom/Dad?", it's probably just a thought. However, if they continue to stare at you without responding even after you've called them several times, it could be an absence seizure.
What is the difference between Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) and a typical absence seizure?
The main factors that determine whether an absence seizure is classified as Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) are:
- Age of onset: Symptoms of CAE begin in childhood, usually between the ages of 3 and 8.
- Recurrence of symptoms: Absence seizures that occur with CAE can occur frequently, several times a day, sometimes up to 200 times a day.
- Patterns of symptoms: CAE symptoms begin suddenly and last for a few seconds.
Absence seizures can occur without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy. For example, absence seizures can occur at any age, vary in frequency, and may not occur in a specific pattern.
What time should I see a doctor?
If you think you are having symptoms of an absence seizure, be sure to see a doctor. Usually, the person you spend the most time with is the first to notice these symptoms, as you may not be aware that they are happening to you.
If a doctor has already diagnosed you with absence seizures, let your doctor know if you develop any new symptoms, if your symptoms get worse, or if you experience side effects from your medication.
What are the important questions to ask the doctor?
You may want to ask your doctor questions like these:
- Why do I/my child get these cramps?
- What are the safe activities for me/my child to do? What should I avoid?
- How can we prevent this 'absence seizure' from occurring in the future?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend?
- Are there any side effects from the treatment?
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Living with the symptoms of an absence seizure can be confusing and frustrating. Since you can't predict when they'll come, they can suddenly take you away from whatever you're doing. Imagine, you're listening to a joke and a seizure occurs before you can say the right answer... When you wake up, everyone around you is laughing, but you can't figure out why.
Absence seizures are short-lived, but can occur as often as hundreds a day. But don't worry. A doctor can help you manage these types of seizures. Antiseizure medications can usually reduce symptoms. This will allow you to remain fully conscious and connected to the world around you at all times.
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you or your child has any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Early detection and proper treatment can make life much easier.
` absence seizure, petit mal, seizure, seizure, pediatrics, brain electrical activity, EEG, epilepsy
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