Petit Mal Seizure
Alternate Names : Absence Seizure, Seizure - Absence, Seizure - Petit Mal
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Petit Mal Seizure Symptoms & Signs
TYPICAL
- Muscle activity changes
- Consciousness changes
- Staring episodes (unintentional)
- Lack of awareness of surroundings
- Sudden halt in conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)
- May be provoked by hyperventilation or flashing lights, in some cases
- Abrupt beginning of seizure
- Each seizure lasts no more than a few seconds
- Full recovery of consciousness, no confusion
- No memory of seizure
ATYPICAL
- Atonic seizure
- No muscle movement
- Slumping, loss of posture
- Loss of muscle tone
- Falling down
- Consciousness changes
- Unintentional staring
- Lack of awareness of surroundings
- Sudden stop of conscious activity (movement, talking, etc.)
- Hand fumbling
- Fluttering eyelids
- May be provoked by hyperventilation, in some cases
- May have slower, gradual beginning of seizure
- Each lasts only seconds to minutes
- Recovery may be slower
- May have short period of confusion or bizarre behavior
- No memory of seizure
Note: Unexplained difficulties in school and learning difficulties may be the first indication of petit mal seizures.
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