After the seizure, consciousness returns slowly. This seizure, while perhaps the type of epilepsy most visible in the public mind, is not the most common. Approximately two-thirds of people with epilepsy have complex partial seizures. Status epilepticus is a term describing a state of recurring seizures between which consciousness does not return. This type of seizure demands immediate medical care, as it can lead to severe brain damage and even loss of life.
Some people experience a sensation called an aura, or warning before a seizure starts.
The aura may occur far enough in advance to give time to lie down and prevent injury from falling. The type of aura experienced varies from person to person. In some cases, the aura manifests itself as a musical sound, a strange taste, or a striking odor. A precise description of an aura assists a doctor in identifying the region of the brain where the initial electrical discharge originates. Auras are not necessarily followed by full-scale seizures.