Epilepsy is the occurrence of multiple seizures (fits), but not caused by high fever or recent head/brain injury. The brain as we all know uses electrical impulses for a lot of its activities. Sometimes, there is a sudden surge in electrical activity in the brain, which causes the seizures. Epileptic seizures are of multiple types. Some may be generalized seizures that occur when the surge of electrical activity affects the whole brain, while some are partial seizures in which only a part of the brain is involved. They manifest themselves in some of the common ways below.
Absence seizures - Petit mal (generalized seizure)
In this type of seizure, it appears that the child stops doing what they are doing. They stop moving or talking. Their face becomes blank. They seem to just stare. Often those around them may not even notice this seizure. These usually last less than 30 seconds. At the end of the seizure the child completely regains consciousness
and continues the previous activity.
