What are the two main types of seizures in Epilepsy?

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In epilepsy, the classification of seizures is critical for understanding their characteristics and determining appropriate treatment options. The two main types of seizures recognized in this context are tonic-clonic seizures and absence seizures.

Tonic-clonic seizures, also known as grand mal seizures, involve a combination of muscle stiffening (tonic phase) and rhythmic jerking (clonic phase). These seizures typically affect the entire brain and can result in loss of consciousness, making them one of the most recognizable types of seizures.

Absence seizures, often called petit mal seizures, primarily affect consciousness without significant motor activity. During an absence seizure, a person may experience brief lapses in awareness, which can last only a few seconds. These seizures are more common in children and can sometimes go unnoticed, as they may look like simple daydreaming.

In contrast, other classifications such as simple and complex refer to types of partial seizures, which are characterized by their focus and do not encompass the broader types of generalized seizures like tonic-clonic and absence. Partial seizures can be either simple (without loss of consciousness) or complex (with loss of consciousness). Generalized seizures encompass a wider variety of seizure types beyond just tonic-clonic and absence, but the main focus in this question is specifically

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