If you’re concerned about your child’s health, you’re probably wondering how long can an absence seizure last. Absence seizures cause a momentary lapse of awareness during which a person stares blankly into space. They can last anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds. Often, the seizures are a single event, but they can occur several times in a row. Learn about what to look for during an absence seizure, including its symptoms, and how long it can last.

If you’ve experienced absence seizures, your healthcare provider may recommend a variety of treatments. One option for controlling them is taking seizure medicine. These medicines may be needed daily. Taking them on time is important for preventing side effects. To make sure you don’t miss any medication, try to take them at the same time each day. If possible, set an alarm to remind yourself. Don’t stop taking your medicines unless your healthcare provider recommends that you do so. If you’re pregnant, discuss the best way to conceive after your seizure.

Absence seizures can occur suddenly and are very short in duration. Observers may not notice the person experiencing them at first, mistaking it for daydreaming or not paying attention. Typical absence seizures last less than 10 seconds, and are accompanied by eye flutter. Atypical absence seizures may last longer, involve different symptoms, or be related to underlying neurologic abnormalities. They may mimic complex partial seizures, such as those caused by epilepsy.

In addition to the duration, absence seizures are also known as petit mal seizures. They are usually short, lasting less than 20 seconds, and may affect learning and concentration at school. Despite being common, they are usually benign and do not require specialized treatment. You can’t be sure how long an absence seizure will last until it starts to recur. A medical professional will be able to help you better understand the severity of the condition.

An absence seizure can affect a child’s brain in many ways, including their ability to perform everyday activities. While the duration of an absence seizure depends on the cause of the seizure, it is typically less than 15 seconds. Often, absence seizures are accompanied by other symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, a blank stare, or dizziness. An absence seizure can happen anywhere, but the most severe cases can last for several minutes.

An absence seizure can also be caused by a medical condition known as generalized epilepsy. Patients with absence status epilepsy may have a history of generalized epilepsy. These patients usually have a previous diagnosis of generalized epilepsy and are presenting with a non-convulsive seizure lasting between a half hour and a day or more. The seizure will normally end spontaneously, although it is still important to seek medical attention as early as possible to avoid complications of the disease.