simple absence
Noun: A specific type of epileptic seizure, characterized by a brief, sudden loss of consciousness without convulsions or other significant physical symptoms. It is identifiable on an electroencephalogram (EEG) by a pattern of brainwave spikes occurring at a rate of three per second.
This is a medical term used primarily in neurology and clinical settings to diagnose and classify a specific form of epilepsy. * The EEG confirmed the diagnosis, showing the classic pattern of a simple absence. * In children, a simple absence may manifest as a brief staring spell.
- The term is often contrasted with complex absence or atypical absence, which involve additional features like mild muscle movements or longer, less distinct EEG patterns.
- It is a subtype of absence seizure, which is the broader category.
- Absence seizure (n): The general term for this type of non-convulsive epileptic event.
- Petit mal seizure (n): An older, synonymous term for absence seizure, which includes the simple absence type.
- Petit mal absence (This is a direct synonym, though "petit mal" is an older classification term.)
This term has a single, highly specific meaning in medical terminology. It does not have a general, non-medical meaning related to the common words "simple" or "absence."
- an absence seizure without other complications; followed by 3-per-sec brainwave spikes