Navigating the world of epilepsy can be confusing, especially when you’re hearing random or medical words you’ve never heard before. Here, we try to explain some of the common medical terms healthcare teams might use at your appointments or in letters. By breaking down these terms, we hope to make the journey a little easier and less overwhelming.
Have you ever sat in an appointment or received a letter and been confused by some of the words used? The medical world can seem like a completely different language sometimes so we've busted some of the jargon for you below.
Ambulatory EEG An Electroencephalogram (EEG) that allows you to move around freely, carrying out your usual daily and nightly routines. No filming is involved in this type of EEG.
Atypical Absence A type of seizure with a less abrupt onset and offset of loss of awareness compared to typical absence seizures. It may include features like loss of muscle tone or subtle jerks.
Buccal Midazolam/Buccolam Emergency medication in a prefilled syringe. Buccolam and Epistatus are brand names for this type of medication.
Cavernoma/Cavernomata A cluster of abnormal blood cells, usually in the brain or spinal cord, which can cause various problems including seizures.
Cortex The outer layer of the brain.
CT Scan A Computerised Tomography scan that shows both bone and soft tissues, including the brain. It can reveal any obvious structural abnormalities or damage.
ECoG Electrodes are placed directly on the exposed surface of the brain to record electrical activity.
EEG (Electroencephalogram) A test used to find problems related to electrical activity in the brain. It tracks and records brain wave patterns using small metal discs with thin wires placed on the scalp.
ESES Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep.
Focal A seizure that starts in one area of the brain.
Focal Onset/Complex Partial A seizure that starts in one area of the brain. If consciousness is affected, it is called a Focal Impaired Awareness Seizure. If not, it is called a Focal Aware Seizure.
Grand Mal A type of seizure where you become unconscious, fall to the floor, and have twitching or jerking of muscles (also known as a Tonic-Clonic seizure).
MRI A safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body. Unlike a CT scan, it does not use radiation.
Myoclonic A sudden, brief, shock-like muscle contraction.
Neurophysiology The study of how the brain and nervous system work. The person doing your EEG is a neurophysiologist.
Non-Epileptic Seizures Seizures that happen for psychological reasons rather than physical ones. They are different from epileptic seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Parietal The parietal lobe is in the middle and back of the skull and processes sensory information like touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. It also helps with hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.
Petit Mal/Absence Seizure A type of seizure where you may become blank or unresponsive for a few moments and not be aware of what has happened.
Refractory Seizures that are difficult to treat with various anti-epileptic medications and continue to occur.
Semiology How a seizure looks or presents.
Temporal Lobe Part of the brain responsible for language, feelings, emotions, and memory.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Characterized by recurrent, unprovoked focal seizures that originate in the temporal lobe of the brain.
Tonic-Clonic Seizures involving sudden muscle stiffening and contraction, and rhythmic twitching or jerking. Tonic seizures involve muscle stiffening, while clonic seizures involve rhythmic jerking. Tonic-clonic seizures are a combination of these two types.
Understanding these terms can help make medical appointments and letters less confusing. Knowledge is power, and being familiar with these words can help you feel more in control of your epilepsy journey.
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