Seizures are electrical malfunctions in the brain's communication system. Neurons, the cells that make up the brain and the central nervous system, communicate with one another with biochemical signals that can sometimes go awry. When this happens, a seizure takes place. Focal seizures involve specific parts of the brain; therefore the symptoms of a focal seizure vary depending on the part of the brain involved.
Abnormal Muscle Movements
There are certain focal seizures that manifest themselves as abnormal muscle movements. The most common involve clonic-tonic movements, or repetitive contraction and relaxation of a specific muscle or muscle group. Occasionally, it may involve just on side of the body or cause abnormal head movements. For example, children may have benign focal epilepsy of childhood, one of the most common seizure disorders. It presents in children between 3 and 15 years of age. During an episode of benign focal epilepsy, the child may exhibit brief episodes of mouth twitching, with drooling and inability to speak normally. Another abnormal seizure of childhood is the juvenile myoclonic jerk, in which the child exhibits abnormal forceful muscle contractions, usually in the mornings.
Abnormal Sensations
Some children exhibit abnormal sensations as the main symptoms of their focal seizure. Children may complain of numbing or tingling of their skin or feel like they have ants crawling all over them. They may also report abnormal odors or strange tastes or flavors in their mouth. Sometimes abnormal muscle movements accompany these sensory abnormalities.
Other Symptoms
Children with complex focal or partial seizures can exhibit a wide variety of symptoms, which can change over the years and even from one episode to the next. During a complex focal seizure, the child may have a glassy look in her eyes, as if she was drugged. Children with these seizures also have lip smacking or make gurgling sounds in their throat. They may also have nausea and vomiting. Some children with focal seizures generalize their seizure activity and have a generalized tonic-clinic seizure, with whole-body convulsions, eyes rolled back and loss of consciousness.
