Could Your Child Be Experiencing Absence Seizures?

Absence seizures are a type of seizure, but they differ from the types of seizures you may be more familiar with. There’s usually no convulsion or outward change in activity other than your child may seem to stare off into space. Pediatric care and understanding what’s happening can help you to take action.

 

This Type of Seizure Often Has No Symptoms

Absence seizures are difficult to diagnose because they don’t look like a typical seizure. Instead of convulsions, the person suffering an absence seizure appears to not be aware of what’s going on around them. During the seizure, the person may appear to be staring off at a distant point.

Almost all people who experience these types of seizures aren’t aware they’re occurring. They may feel as if they simply “spaced out” for a short period of time.

 

Kids Especially May Just Seem to Be Ignoring Someone

In children, absence seizures simply appear as if the person is not paying attention to what’s going on at all. This is especially true if they occur during a class session when the child is listening to the lesson and suddenly appears to have drifted off in a daydream.

Kids in this situation may be blamed for letting their attention wander, when in reality, there’s nothing the child could have done to stop the situation.

 

Absence Seizures Can Be Common Along with Other Medical Issues

Children who experience absence seizures may also have epilepsy and experience other types of seizures, complete with convulsions. Or they may have other developmental illnesses. Talk to your child’s doctor about her health issues and how they may affect her ability to treat absence seizures as well as those other health conditions.

 

Diagnosing Absence Seizures

Diagnosing absence seizures is really important because it helps ensure that your child gets the care and treatment she needs. Teachers and coaches might mention something about inattention first. Having pediatric care at home can help observe your child during the day to catch any signs or changes in behavior.

Your child’s doctor can take things from there. A magnetic resonance imaging test, MRI, electroencephalogram, or EEG are two of the most common tests your child’s doctor may order.

 

Treatments for absence seizures can vary, mostly depending on your child’s other health issues. Special needs children with multiple health issues may have a tougher time with medications as the primary solution, especially if other medications interact. Lifestyle changes, management, and pediatric care may be more effective.

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Pediatric Care in Annandale, VA, please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484