What should you know about partial seizure?

Possible signs include twitching on one side, unusual smells or tastes, tingling, staring, lip smacking, repeated movements, sudden fear or a period of reduced responsiveness. Awareness may be preserved or impaired. Some focal seizures spread and become a convulsive seizure involving the whole body.

A seizure can have many triggers or causes. Alcohol withdrawal, low blood glucose from Hypoglycaemia, infection such as Meningitis, head injury, stroke, medication changes or epilepsy may be considered by a clinician. One event does not establish the cause.

Keep the person away from traffic, water, heat and sharp objects. Cushion the head, loosen tight clothing and note when the event starts. Do not restrain them and do not put anything in their mouth. When movements stop, place them on their side and stay nearby until they are alert.

Afterward, record what happened before, during and after the event, including awareness, movements, injuries, sleep, alcohol, food and medicines. Arrange medical assessment after a first suspected seizure or a change in a known seizure pattern.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats without recovery, causes breathing difficulty or serious injury, happens in water, occurs during pregnancy, or is a first suspected seizure. Seek urgent help for a seizure with fever, severe headache, stiff neck, new weakness or prolonged confusion.

Ask: Was this event consistent with a focal seizure? Do I need blood tests, brain imaging or an EEG? Could alcohol, glucose, infection or a medicine change have contributed? What safety plan should my household follow if it happens again?