Preseizure Symptoms and Types of Seizures
Preseizure Symptoms
Preseizure symptoms, also known as “aura,” vary greatly among individuals. These symptoms can include:
- Mood Changes: Significant changes in mood, often described as a feeling of impending doom (Mula et al., 2008).
- Loss of Bladder Control: Urinary incontinence before or during a seizure (Tellez-Zenteno et al., 2004).
- Anxiety: Heightened emotional state (Mula et al., 2008).
- Pain: Rare but possible, especially abdominal pain (Stewart et al., 2001).
- Headache: A sense of pressure or tightness in the head (Friedman et al., 2018).
- Nausea: Feeling of sickness or urge to vomit (Stewart et al., 2001).
- Vision Changes: Flashes of light or blind spots (Hennessy et al., 2001).
- Confusion: Mental disorientation (Benbadis et al., 2000).
- Rapid Eye Movements: Uncontrolled eye movements (Benbadis et al., 2000).
- Weakness: Sudden loss of muscle strength (Mula et al., 2008).
- Auditory Hallucinations: Hearing sounds that are not present (Benbadis et al., 2000).
- Biting Tongue: Involuntary tongue biting (Friedman et al., 2018).
- Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or vertiginous (Hennessy et al., 2001).
- Teeth Clenching: Involuntary jaw tightening (Friedman et al., 2018).
Types of Seizures
- Absence Seizures: Brief episodes of staring or inattention.
- Tonic Seizures: Sudden muscle stiffness.
- Clonic Seizures: Rhythmic muscle jerking.
- Mixed Seizures: Combinations of the above symptoms.
Comparison Table: Medication Types
| Types of Seizures | Conventional Medications | Cannabinoids | Used for Prevention/Rescue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence | Ethosuximide, Valproate | CBD | Prevention |
| Tonic | Benzodiazepines, Phenytoin | CBD, THC | Both |
| Clonic | Benzodiazepines, Valproate | CBD | Both |
| Mixed | Lamotrigine, Topiramate | CBD, THC | Prevention |
Precautions with Cannabinoids
Individuals with liver conditions, cardiovascular issues, or other medical illnesses should exercise caution with cannabinoid use and consult Dr. Caplan at CED Clinic for a personalized treatment plan.
References
- Mula, M., et al. (2008). Peri-ictal psychopathology: An overview. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 20(4), 427-433.
- Tellez-Zenteno, J. F., et al. (2004). Long-term seizure prognosis in epilepsy patients treated with and without surgery. Neurology, 63(12), 2312-2313.
- Stewart, M., et al. (2001). Symptoms of depression and anxiety in pediatric epilepsy patients. Epilepsia, 42(6), 789-794.
- Friedman, D., et al. (2018). Somatic sensations of aura. Neurology, 91(17), 787-793.
- Hennessy, M. J., et al. (2001). Symptoms of depersonalization and autoscopic phenomena. Neurology, 57(5), 839-841.
- Benbadis, S. R., et al. (2000). The differential diagnosis of epilepsy: A critical review. Epilepsy & Behavior, 1(4), 276-284.
- O’Connell, B. K., Gloss, D., & Devinsky, O. (2017). Cannabinoids in treatment-resistant epilepsy: A review. Epilepsy & Behavior, 70, 341-348.
- Devinsky, O., et al. (2017). Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. The Lancet Neurology, 15(3), 270-278.
Note: Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for a personalized treatment plan.
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