Epilepsy is a medical condition that results in the patient periodically experiencing seizures, which are periods of abnormal brain activity. There are many different types of seizures. Silent seizures, also known as absence seizures or petit mal seizures, do not involve the muscle jerking and spasms that many people associate with seizures. Instead, the patient will appear to just tune out for a short time.
Identification
Silent seizures usually last 15 seconds or less, with the brain's function being disrupted by unusual electrical activity. These seizures are most common in young people and most commonly affect children between the ages of 6 and 12.
Symptoms
Silent seizures typically involve the patient ceasing movement, although some hand trembling and lip smacking are associated with longer seizures. Another typical symptom is loss of consciousness, which is often will cause the patients to stare off into space. The patient will be unaware of his surroundings. Although most people recover fully from absence seizures, they will have no memory of the seizure.
Causes
Petit mal or silent seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Neurons normally use chemical and electrical signals to communicate with one another. However, in the case of seizures, these electrical signals get altered and begin to repeat themselves in a 3-second pattern. What causes this to happen is unknown, although there appears to be a genetic component. Absence seizures are more common in children because the brain of a child has more synapses (connections between neurons), making it easier for this sort of abnormal activity to occur.
Diagnosis
There are three main tests that are used in diagnosing petit mal seizures. The first is a blood test to make sure that there is not a chemical imbalance that is causing the seizure. The second test is an EEG. This test consists of a series of electrodes being placed on the scalp, which will monitor electrical activity in the brain. Absence seizures will cause a altered pattern of electrical activity.. Finally, an MRI can be done to ensure that the seizures are not the result of a tumor or some other disorder.
Treatment
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat epilepsy. These medications can eliminate or reduce the frequency with which silent seizures occur. The treatment that works for an individual patient is usually arrived at by trial and error to find the right combination of medications as well as the most effective dose. The most common medications used to treat absence seizures are ethosuximide, valproic acid and lamotrigine.
