(d) Phase may last one or more minutes.
(e) Tonic activity is characterized by rigid contraction of the muscles.
(f) Clonic activity is characterized by alternate contraction and
relaxation of muscles, causing jerking movements of the arms and legs.
(3)
Postictal phase.
(a) Phase will vary in symptoms.
(b) Many patients fall into a deep sleep which may last for several
hours.
(c)
Patient may experience headache, fatigue, confusion, and nausea.
c. Petit Mal Seizure.
(1)
Characterized by brief loss of consciousness, or "blank spells."
(2) Individual stares blankly, eyelids may flutter, and there is slight
movement of head and extremities.
(3)
More common in children.
(4)
May occur dozens of times per day.
d. Psychomotor Seizure.
(1) Different forms of seizure activity often appearing as irrational or odd
behavior, such as removing one's clothing or purposeless behaviors such as smacking
one's lips.
(2)
Last only a few moments and individual has no recall of behavior.
(3)
Auditory, visual, or olfactory hallucinations may also occur.
e. Jacksonian Seizure. (Also called focal or marching seizures.)
(1)
Seizures may start in one part of the body and move to another.
(2)
Consciousness may not be lost.
(3)
May be followed by a grand mal seizure.
MD0919
2-65
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