Benign epilepsy is a type of epilepsy that does not damage the brain and affects children. The most common types are benign idiopathic epilepsy, benign partial epilepsy, and benign rolandic epilepsy. Absence seizures may also be considered benign. Most children recover from these conditions by early adulthood. Treatment involves antiepileptic drugs and EEG diagnosis.
There are several types of benign epilepsy. The most common types are benign idiopathic epilepsy, benign partial epilepsy, and benign rolandic epilepsy. Absence seizures are also sometimes considered a kind of benign epilepsy. People with these conditions generally live full, healthy lives.
Epilepsy is a condition that causes two or more seizures in a person’s life. Benign epilepsy is a type of epilepsy that does not damage the brain and is not caused by anything that will damage the brain. These conditions most often affect children. Most children will come out of their benign epileptic conditions by early adulthood.
The most common type of benign epilepsy is benign idiopathic epilepsy. Another name for this condition is cryptogenic epilepsy. This condition can affect children of any age. Seizure activity may begin in infancy.
Idiopathic epilepsy can cause generalized or partial seizures. These can usually be controlled using antiepileptic drugs. Children usually recover from this condition without complications, but some may need to take medication in adulthood.
Benign partial epilepsy is actually a variant of idiopathic epilepsy. It occurs for the first time between the ages of two and 13. Most children come out of it by the age of 16. Meanwhile, it is easily controlled by medications.
The seizure activity associated with benign partial epilepsy usually occurs during sleep. Seizure activity often begins in the face and progresses to a partial motor seizure. Doctors can diagnose this condition by using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain waves.
Another type of benign epilepsy is slightly more common in boys. Benign rolandic epilepsy gets its name from the rolandic area of the brain, which controls facial movement, the area most affected by seizures. It can also be called infantile epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.
Rolandic seizures can start in children ages three to 13. Most babies do not need treatment because their seizures occur at night and seem to cause little disturbance to the baby. Some behavioral problems and learning disabilities have been noted during the years when seizure activity is more common. These usually go away when the child comes out of the condition, which usually occurs by age 15.
Some medical professionals consider absence seizures to be benign seizures. Whether absence epilepsy can be called benign depends on the frequency and duration of seizures. The distinction also depends on whether the condition follows the child into adulthood or develops into other conditions.
During an absence seizure, children are generally unresponsive and unaware of their surroundings. They may stare off into the distance, blink rapidly, or roll their eyes. Most episodes last only a few seconds, although rare cases can last days. The child is usually unaware that a crisis has occurred.
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