Many people who have seizures may feel fatigued or sleepy for hours or even days after having a seizure.
The paralysis typically lasts from one hour to 36 hours.
Post-seizure weakness is one of the less frequent symptoms that can occur during the postictal state.
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Post-seizure weakness may be called postictal paralysis, Toddsparesis, Todds paralysis, or Todds palsy.
Symptoms of postictal paralysis usually resolve within minutes to hours after they begin.
The symptoms may gradually improve or they may suddenly resolve.
Causes
Overall, the actual cause of postictal paralysis is not perfectly understood.
There are many similarities between seizures and strokes, and it can be difficult to tell them apart.
There are a number of medical tests that can support or confirm the diagnosis of postictal paralysis.
Seizures can be prevented withanti-epilepsy medicationsand sometimes with epilepsy surgery.
There is no specific medical treatment for postictal paralysis aside from preventing the seizures themselves.
With rest, postictal paralysis will eventually resolve.
The good news is that postictal paralysis is not harmful.
It does not cause long-term weakness or recurrent seizures.
For some people with epilepsy, postictal paralysis is a part of the recovery stage.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Epilepsy and seizures.
2020;26:e920751.
