Absence seizure, formerly known as petit mal seizure, is a type of short seizure that usually causes a person to briefly lose focus, stare into space, and lose awareness of their surroundings. These seizures are often seen in children and typically last only a few seconds. The condition is a type of epilepsy , a condition that causes seizures. Seizures are caused by abnormal brain activity, in which a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements (like stiffness, twitching, or limpness), behaviors, sensations, or states of awareness. Absence seizures don’t cause a person to fall down or convulse. In fact, they may be hard to identify at first, because it can look like the person is just daydreaming or zoning out. When the seizure ends, the person often resumes normal activity without realizing it happened.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293714eb09-3d9a-4d03-88fc-593aca165b98 These seizures are most common in children between ages 4 and 14. While they don’t typically cause long-term problems, they can get in the way of learning, because a child may have as many as 100 absence seizures in a day.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e3c2136b-2bd9-4fbc-8f6a-ec89139e95ef
Types of Absence Seizures Types Absence seizures are generally classified into two types: typical and atypical. Typical Absence Seizures This is the most common form and only causes staring and lack of awareness. Atypical Absence Seizures These seizures may last longer and might include slight body movements, such as eye blinking, arm movement, or muscle jerks. This type of seizure usually occurs along with other seizure types and is more common in children who have a learning disability and severe epilepsy.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e398275-b330-46ac-9248-739182b137df
Signs and Symptoms of Absence Seizures Symptoms People who are having an absence seizure don’t speak, listen, or seem to understand. Typically, they stare blankly and stop whatever they are doing. Just as suddenly, they “snap out of it” and continue as they were before the seizure. Other symptoms of an absence seizure may include: Repetitive movements, like eye blinking or lip smacking Brief loss of awareness — the person doesn’t respond to others. No memory of having the seizure, even immediately after it happens Absence seizures are brief, and they can happen multiple times throughout the day.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762999552afb-cf67-4e7e-a30e-3b1b8869257e
Causes and Risk Factors of Absence Seizures Causes Absence seizures are caused by sudden bursts of electrical activity from nerve cells in the brain, called neurons, which send electrical and chemical signals across the synapses that connect them. In people who have absence seizures, the electrical signals repeat themselves over and over in a three-second pattern instead of behaving in the usual way. Experts believe that people who have seizures may have altered levels of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that help the nerve cells communicate with one another.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762998b54b2c-ca0b-4db8-96b5-e06b8ff22e48 Risk factors for absence seizures include: Genetics These seizures often run in families. Close to 1 in 4 children with absence seizures have a close relative who has seizures. Age Absence seizures usually start in childhood, typically between ages 4 and 14. Sex This type of seizure is more common in girls.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762961eb83cc-a879-4a9e-a1e3-546b85efb4d0
How Is Absence Seizure Diagnosed? Diagnosis Some people have absence seizures for years before seeking a diagnosis. Typically, a diagnosis involves a physical exam, discussion of symptoms, medical history, and tests. It helps to keep track of symptoms and know as much about what happens during the seizures as possible — which may involve what witnesses observe during the episodes. The following tests may be used: Hyperventilation Test Because hyperventilating can trigger an absence seizure, the healthcare provider may try to induce one so that they can observe it. This could involve blowing on paper or a pinwheel repeatedly for two minutes. Electroencephalogram (EEG) This test records electrical activity in the brain. During an absence seizure, an EEG will show a characteristic pattern of brainwaves. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan This types of scans can reveal abnormalities in the brain that could cause seizures. Blood and Urine Tests These may be done to rule out other causes of seizures , such as infections or metabolic disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629197c1f88-6fca-4967-b210-839cce4f05e6
Treatment and Medication Options for Absence Seizures Treatment Usually, people (most often, children) are started on the lowest dose of antiseizure medicine possible, and then the dose may be increased (if needed) to manage the seizures. Medication Options Medicines prescribed for absence seizure include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290b4eec6e-2cfa-44cc-bf5f-8efc02733946 Zarontin (ethosuximide) Lamictal (lamotrigine) Topamax (topiramate) Depakene (valproate) Valproic acid Some people may be able to taper off antiseizure medicines under the supervision of a healthcare professional if they have been seizure-free for at least two years.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299629e292-34cf-4e48-b399-83c5f1485fe1 Complementary Therapies First-line therapy for absence seizure is medication to control seizures. There is some evidence that complementary approaches may help as well, especially if the seizures aren’t improved by medication. Ketogenic Diet A ketogenic diet — one that’s high in fat and low in carbohydrate — may help reduce seizures by changing how the brain gets energy. This may not be recommended for everyone and should only be tried under medical supervision.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298854fbd2-60d7-4b6b-8740-35add5f6fc73 Variations of the keto diet such as the low-glycemic-index diet and modified Atkins diet aren’t quite as restrictive and may also help.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762903bd08d0-3a35-49e0-a7d7-1c421115675f Vagus Nerve Stimulation In vagus nerve stimulation, electrical impulses are sent to the vagus nerve, the main nerve that controls heart rate and other vital functions. This may help people with absence seizures who don’t respond to medication.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e082da2a-8b53-4838-9715-fad85a07de4d
Prevention of Absence Seizures Prevention While there is no sure way to prevent absence seizures, taking medications as prescribed and having regular checkups can help manage the condition.
Lifestyle Changes for Absence Seizures Lifestyle Changes Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle may help reduce seizures. This includes the following habits:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762950273537-7294-4cb9-b946-417d12a4ce47 Get plenty of rest Manage stress Eat a healthy diet Exercise regularly
What Is the Outlook for Someone With Absence Seizures? Prognosis and Outlook Many children outgrow absence seizures by their teenage years. Evidence suggests that as many as 7 out of 10 children stop having them by age 18.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f78154e7-947f-4ae2-b023-20257e65a658 Those who only have absence seizures and not any other types of seizures are the most likely to stop having them.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294da0874c-4244-40c2-923e-05beac4049aa Also, children who start having seizures before age 9 are much more likely to outgrow them than children whose seizures start after age 10.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f78154e7-947f-4ae2-b023-20257e65a658
Complications of Absence Seizures Complications While absence seizures are generally less severe than other types of seizures, there is an increased risk for certain complications or issues. Impaired Learning Frequent seizures can impact attention and memory, especially in children. It can also make following directions challenging. Injuries Though absence seizures do not typically involve falling, accidents can happen if the seizure occurs while a person is engaged in an activity that requires full attention, like walking, swimming, or driving.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293d43bf8f-145f-4793-a8d8-c2046429acc6
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care for Absence Seizures When to Seek Urgent Care If you or someone you know experiences any of the following, seek medical help immediately: Seizures lasting longer than five minutes Multiple seizures in a row without recovery between them Prolonged automatic behaviors lasting minutes to hours, including eating or moving without awareness or prolonged confusion. These could be symptoms of status epilepticus, which requires immediate attention to prevent further complications or even death.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a87caad0-3695-448a-9a86-40005277990b
Research and Statistics: How Many People Have Absence Seizures? Research and Statistics Absence seizures affect about 6 to 8 out of every 100,000 children under age 15 each year.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762980101d38-58ca-4e36-8835-9f0be001728b Fewer adults have absence seizures, though it’s unclear exactly how many adults have them: Research suggests that adult self-reports on how often the seizures happen aren’t accurate.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762981a70745-ba55-4a22-a5c3-da362deece12
Related Conditions Related Conditions Absence seizures are seen in some types of epilepsies.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291e447d08-50e5-4e00-adfd-57432dfb9853 Childhood Absence Epilepsy The main symptom of this type of epilepsy is absence seizures without noticeable convulsions. Juvenile Absence Epilepsy This type of epilepsy starts in adolescence and is marked by frequent absence seizures, often occurring with other types of seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy A type of epilepsy that usually starts in the teen years, this involves quick, jerking movements, often in the arms or shoulders, which may be followed by generalized seizures, typically occurring in the morning.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295482cd29-c375-4ca2-b019-a3b935be0fa4
The Takeaway Absence seizures are brief, sudden episodes where a person loses focus or awareness, often appearing as if they are daydreaming. These seizures are most common in children but can occur in adults as well. Treatment typically involves medications, which can help control and reduce the frequency of seizures. In most cases, treatment can successfully manage absence seizures.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Absence SeizuresChildhood Neurology Foundation: Absence Epilepsy: Childhood and Juvenile OnsetEpilepsy Foundation: Lifestyle and Independent LivingChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Seizures in ChildrenCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: Types of Seizures
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