Patient's question:
The baby's grandfather has epilepsy, but the baby's father is fine. However, after the baby was born, the doctor discovered that the baby had infantile epilepsy but had never had an episode. Last month, one day the baby suddenly rolled his eyes back, frothed at the mouth, twitched all over his body, and didn't respond even when his name was called. He also wet his pants.Doctor's answer:
Hello, friend. The symptoms of epilepsy can be primarily divided into grand mal seizures, petit mal seizures, psychomotor seizures, focal seizures, and complex partial seizures based on the type of attack.(1) Grand mal seizures (also known as generalized seizures): Half of the cases have prodromal symptoms, such as dizziness, mental confusion, discomfort in the upper abdomen, disturbances in vision, hearing, and smell. During the seizure phase (tonic-clonic phase), some patients may first emit a sharp cry, followed by loss of consciousness and falling to the ground. There is generalized muscle rigidity and cessation of breathing. The head and eyes may turn to one side. Within seconds, there is a series of clonic convulsions, which gradually intensify and last for tens of seconds. During the clonic phase, breathing resumes, and frothing may occur at the mouth (if the tongue is bitten, blood may be present). Some patients may experience incontinence of urine and feces. After the convulsions, the body becomes or the patient enters a state of unconsciousness (the unconscious phase), after which consciousness gradually returns.
(2) Petit mal seizures: These involve brief (5–10 seconds) loss of consciousness or disturbance without generalized convulsions. Multiple episodes may occur daily, sometimes accompanied by rhythmic blinking, bowing of the head, straight gaze, or twitching of the upper limbs.
(3) Psychomotor seizures (also known as complex partial seizures): These may manifest as sudden onset, confusion, and irregular, uncoordinated movements (such as sucking, chewing, searching, crying, running, or struggling). The patient's actions are aimless, purposeless, blind, and impulsive. The seizure may last for hours, sometimes even for days. The patient has no memory of the episode.
(4) Focal seizures: These are generally seen in patients with organic damage to the cerebral cortex. They may manifest as focal twitching or sensory abnormalities in one side of the mouth, fingers, or toes, which can spread to one side of the body. If the seizure involves both sides of the body, it may resemble a grand mal seizure.