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Lee, DO — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA and Jenna Fletcher — Updated on May 26, 2022A simple partial seizure results from changes in activity on one side of the brain. It does not affect a person’s consciousness or awareness. The person remains alert and awake during the seizure, and they may continue to talk. If a partial seizure affects consciousness, it is a complex partial seizure. Doctors also use the term “focal impaired awareness seizure.” If changes in nerve activity affect more than one part of the brain, it is a generalized seizure. Doctors may also refer to simple partial seizures as focal aware seizures or simple focal seizures. If a person experiences repeated simple partial seizures, a doctor may diagnose epilepsy, which involves recurring seizures. Partial seizures are the most common type of seizures in individuals with epilepsy, and 6–12% of people with epilepsy experience this type. Complex partial seizures, in which a person loses consciousness, are more common among those with epilepsy. This article discusses what simple partial seizures are, how they compare with other seizures, what causes them, and what treatment options are available. Symptoms Share on PinterestHans Neleman/Getty ImagesSome symptoms are common in people experiencing any type of partial focal seizure. Some general symptoms of focal seizures that can occur alone or in combination include:smacking the lips or appearing to chew somethingpicking at clothesrepeatedly picking things upsuddenly going floppyexperiencing jerking movements of the limbs or bodymaking side-to-side head movementsmaking a sound resembling a loud cry or screammaking repetitive movements, such as kicking or cyclingexperiencing changes in taste, smell, vision, or hearinghaving a feeling of deja vuexperiencing sudden and intense emotions, such as joy or fearhaving a feeling resembling a wave going through the head, known as auraexperiencing numbness and tinglingfeeling as if a body part is bigger or smaller than it really isseeing flashing lightshearing or seeing things that are not there In some people, a simple partial seizure is a warning seizure that can indicate that another seizure is about to occur. It can be a warning of a generalized seizure, which affects the whole of the brain and causes a person to lose consciousness. After a seizure, an individual may continue to feel confused or have difficulty thinking clearly for some time. A seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes is a medical emergency, and someone should call 911. Causes The brain communicates via electric signals. A seizure occurs when a person experiences a disturbance in their brain’s usual electric activity. Simple partial seizures happen when people have an electrical change in a specific part of their brain that affects these signals. Doctors do not know what causes many types of simple partial seizure disorders, but genetic factors may play a role. Other possible causes include:traumatic brain injury, if a scar tissue disturbs electrical signals in the brainchanges following surgerystrokea brain tumordevelopmental challengesthe use of some medicationsexposure to toxinsendocrine disorders, which affect hormone levelsmeningitisfocal encephalitisproblems with blood vesselstrauma to the brain involving low levels of oxygen, which may happen during delivery Some people experience a seizure after exposure to specific triggers, such as:fatiguestresslack of sleepalcoholfeveran acute illness, such as an infectioninappropriate use of medications and other substances Some people living with diabetes may experience a type of continuous simple partial seizures called epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) if their blood sugar rises too much. Reducing blood sugar levels can help treat it. Some infections, structural damage to the brain, and other conditions can also cause EPC. Diagnosis Sometimes, others may misinterpret a simple partial seizure as a person not paying attention. This can be challenging for children in school. Having a correct diagnosis can help a person get the right treatment to manage seizures. A doctor will likely:ask about symptomsask about family and personal medical historycarry out a physical examinationorder blood tests, scans, EEG, and other tests to identify possible causes and confirm the diagnosis If a person has repeated seizures, the doctor may diagnose epilepsy. Treatment For recurring seizures, doctors usually prescribe anticonvulsants as the first line of treatment. If a seizure happens because of an infection, high blood sugar, or a tumor, for example, the doctor will treat the underlying cause. Medications A range of medications known as antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) aims to help manage seizures. Each drug works differently, and sometimes, a doctor will prescribe a combination. A doctor will prescribe an AED suitable for a person’s age and the severity of their symptoms. Medications for seizures include:carbamazepine (Tegretol)phenobarbitallamotrigine (Lamictal)oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)phenytoin (Dilantin)valproate (Depakote)valproic acid (Depakene)topiramate (Topamax)vigabatrin (Sabril)clobazam (Onfi)clonazepam (Klonopin)carbamazepine levetiracetam (Keppra)gabapentin (Neurontin) If a person takes AEDs, they should not stop taking them without first consulting a doctor. To prevent a seizure, the body needs to contain a certain amount of anticonvulsant medications. Stopping suddenly can trigger a seizure. Learn whether natural treatments can help manage epilepsy here. Frequently asked questions Below, we answer some common questions about simple partial seizures. What are some alternative treatment options for recurring seizures Besides medication, other treatment options include: Diet A ketogenic diet may help manage seizures in some people whose epilepsy has not responded to medication. According to a 2019 review, in this diet, less than 10% of the energy provided by food comes from carbohydrates. The diet focuses heavily on protein. Recent studies indicate there may be a link between epilepsy and the gut microbiome. The 2019 review authors propose using the ketogenic diet in such a way that it boosts the production of specific microorganisms. This, they say, could offer protection to the nervous system, potentially helping manage epilepsy. However, they note that additional research is still necessary for this to become a treatment option. The diet may not be suitable for everyone. People should seek guidance from a doctor about whether adopting this diet is a good idea for them and for advice on how to implement it. Learn more about keto diet and managing epilepsy here. Surgery For people whose seizures do not respond to medication, surgery may be an option. This involves removing an area of the brain responsible for seizures, such as scar tissue, a tumor, or other elements. However, depending on the site of the surgery, a person may experience other problems afterward, such as difficulties with verbal memory, difficulty naming things, and other neurological changes. Other possible complications include:cerebrospinal fluid leakhydrocephalusbacterial infectionaseptic meningitis Surgery is usually only suitable when other options have not helped. It may only be possible where the cause of the seizures is easily accessible. Vagus nerve stimulator Some people benefit from a device called a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS). A VNS is a small unit that surgeons place under the skin in the chest and attach to the vagus nerve in the neck. That vagus nerve runs up to the brain, and the electrical signals released from the VNS change the electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. A VNS can help reduce the frequency, length, and severity of seizures. Most people undergo implantation as an outpatient procedure under local anesthetic. However, there is a risk of complications, such as a slowing of heart rhythm, changes in breathing patterns, and damage to the vocal cords. Experts are currently investigating a newer device, the transcutaneous VNS (tVNS). It is a noninvasive technique that applies electrical currents through electrodes on the surface of the skin. tVNS is cheaper, and there is a lower risk of complications. Studies into ways of using this device to treat epilepsy and other conditions are underway. Other devices Besides VNS, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two neurostimulation devices to treat epilepsy: responsive neurostimulation and deep brain stimulation. Learn about CBD oil for seizures here. What are the different types of seizures Doctors divide seizures into groups depending on:which part of the brain the changes affectwhether the seizures affect consciousnessthe changes that occur — for example, whether they affect movement Experts subdivide simple focal seizures into four main subtypes:Focal motor seizures: These happen when changes affect the part of the brain that controls movement.Focal sensory seizures: These occur when changes affect the part of the brain that controls the senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste.Autonomic seizures: These result from changes in the area that controls the autonomic nervous system. This system is responsible for breathing, digestion, the cardiovascular system, and other automatic functions.Psychological seizures: These can affect people who have previously experienced psychological trauma. When to contact a doctor If a person experiences any symptoms that may indicate a simple partial seizure, they should seek medical attention immediately. A doctor can evaluate and diagnose the cause of the issues. Outlook A person who has partial seizures is more likely to experience a recurrence than someone who has generalized seizures. Rates of recurrence for simple and complex partial seizures are nearly equal. The risk of complications from a simple partial seizure is low. For instance, a person is less likely to accidentally breathe in food while conscious during a seizure. However, there is a risk of falls and injury, and long-term nerve damage can occur if a person does not receive treatment. Summary Seizures can affect people with epilepsy and a range of other conditions. If a person has recurring seizures, a doctor may diagnose epilepsy. There are different types of seizure. A partial seizure starts when changes occur in a specific part of the brain, while a generalized seizure involves the entire brain. In a simple partial seizure, the person will not lose consciousness. The symptoms of a simple partial seizure vary depending on the subtype and other factors. While complications are less likely to occur during a seizure where a person is conscious, it is still important to seek treatment, as this can prevent long-term health issues. If an underlying health condition is causing the seizure, a doctor can provide appropriate treatment. Last medically reviewed on May 26, 2022EpilepsyNeurology / Neuroscience 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Epilepsy devices. (n.d.).https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/understanding/treatments/neurostimulation-devices/Khan, Z., et al. (2022). Epilepsia partialis continua.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532275/Kumar, A., et al. (2021). Simple partial seizure.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500005/Liu, G., et al. (2017). Epilepsy: Treatment options.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0715/p87.htmlSeizure types. (n.d.).https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/seizure-types#.WmW0m5OFj-YTypes of seizures. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/types-of-seizures.htmUłamek-Kozioł, M., et al. (2019). Ketogenic diet and epilepsy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836058/Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). (2019).https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/treatment/vagus-nerve-stimulation#.WmIaEJOFiu4Yap, J. Y. Y., et al. (2020). Critical review of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Challenges for translation to clinical practice.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.00284/fullFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Susan W. Lee, DO — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA and Jenna Fletcher — Updated on May 26, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageEverything you need to know about the vagus nerveMedically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. 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