6 - Epilepsy Flashcards
1
Q
What is epilepsy?
A
- associated with reduced GABA levels which leads to abnormal cell communication
- less stimulation is required for neurones to fire
2
Q
What is a febrile seizure?
A
- children who have a fever
- managed acutely
- presents with fever, eyes rolling upwards, loss of consciousness, jerky movements, face may turn red or blue
3
Q
What is the management of febrile seizures?
A
- cool hot children who are above 38 degrees
- paracetamol and ibuprofen
- remove clothes
- cool sponging or bath
4
Q
What are the different types of generalised epilepsy?
A
- tonic/clonic
- petit mal (absence)
- myoclonic/atonic
5
Q
What are the different types of partial epilepsy?
A
- simple partial
- complex partial
- simple sensory
6
Q
What are the triggers of epilepsy?
A
- idiopathic
- trauma (head injury)
- CNS disease eg tumour or stroke, meningitis, encephalitis
- social (alcohol, hypoglycaemia, flashing lights)
7
Q
How does the epileptic focus affect presentation?
A
- central focus causes primary generalised epilepsy
- cortical focus causes partial epilepsy
- can present by seeing/hearing something that isn’t there, is generated by seizure
8
Q
Describe a tonic clonic seizure.
A
- prodromal aura (awareness of onset)
- loss of consciousness and continence
- tonic = contraction of voluntary muscle
- clonic = contraction and relaxation of muscles, spasm
- post-ictal drowsiness last 1-3 mins
9
Q
What is status epilepticus?
A
- recurrent seizures
- very dangerous as breathing muscles are voluntary and do not function during seizure
- can result in hypoxia
10
Q
Describe a petit mal seizure.
A
- absence seizure
- short lived episodes of 5-15 seconds
- loss of awareness (eyelids flutter, vacant stare, stop activity, loss of response)
- common in childhood
11
Q
What are the effects of tonic clonic seizures?
A
- injury from fall or spasms
- asphyxia
- sudden death
12
Q
What are risk factors for tonic clonic epilepsy?
A
- poor medication compliance
- alcohol
- GA agents
- tricyclics (antidepressants)
- stress and fatigue
- infection
- menstruation
13
Q
Describe a motor partial seizure.
A
- motor seizure localised to one region of body
- can spread eg move up arm (known as Jacksonian seizure)
14
Q
Describe a sensory partial seizure.
A
- can be visual, auditory, taste, smell changes that are not caused by external stimuli
- hallucinations
- can cause deja vu
15
Q
Describe a complex partial seizure.
A
- automatism
- unaware of movement occurring
- repetitive purposeless movement including lip smacking and grimacing
