Gelastic Epilepsy
Last updated 14 Jul 2009, review date due 10 Mar 2012
Gelastic epilepsy refers to a type of epilepsy, in which the seizures are 'gelastic', gelastikos being the Greek word for laughter. Gelastic epilepsy is very rare and occurs slightly more commonly in boys than in girls. Of every 1000 children with epilepsy, only one or at the very most, two children will have gelastic epilepsy.
Symptoms
Seizures may begin at any age but usually before three or four years of age. The seizures usually start with laughter and the laughter is often described as being 'hollow' or 'empty' and not very pleasant. The laughter occurs suddenly, comes on for no obvious reason and is usually completely out of place.
Sometimes older children may complain of a warning beforehand, although they are not always able to describe exactly what this warning is like.To read more : http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/syndromes/gelastic-epilepsy
Epilepsy Awareness by Epilepsy Action UK
( I am not aware of such a form of epilepsy. Although it is a 1 or 2 in 1000 cases, it is still interesting and knowledgeable to read and know more about this type of epilepsy. Knowledge gained is always an asset, never a waste and may come in handy. We never know. - Serene )
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Posts
Thank you for posting about this. I actually have Gelastic seizures. They are not the only ones I have, as I have over 40 specific types of seizures that my doctor could identify through testing. It is interesting and more people should know about this because I'm sure it goes unidentified with many children!
ReplyDeleteI feel so sorry for you to live your life with so many different types of seizures but then I am very proud of your positiveness in not allowing epilepsy to derail/deny you of a quality life. You just get stronger and stronger through the days of your epileptic life and this is truly a living testimony of what our Lord Savior has always taught us - " He will be made strongest in the weak and meek ". Amen! Kudos God's angel.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if my son has gelastic seizures. He bursts out laughing with no apparent reason and I have read about gelastic seizures previously. When I mentioned it to his dr he brushed me off. I guess we shall never find out.
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