Chapter 6: Epilepsy Flashcards
Define epilepsy
Group of syndromes that occur in conjunction with disruption of electrical activity within the brain
Affects epilepsy
Consciousness, movements, actions through a seizure
Seizures
The changes in consciousness, movements, or actions that occur after an abnormal electrical activity in brain; loss of control over certain body functions
Convulsions
Body tries to relax and get comfortable so the body shakes rapidly
However a person can have a mild seizure and not shake
How many people get seizures
1 in 10 people in their lifetime due to external factors
Other causes of epilepsy
Alcohol intoxication, or withdrawal, prescribed medications such as pain meds, cocaine and amphetamines ,meningitis or encephalitis
What’s the cause for epilepsy? (Idiopathic)
At this time there is no identification as to why people get epilepsy ; no cause can be identified, can be permanent due to injury or stroke
Types of seizure experienced (generalized or partial)
Generalized where nerve discharge is abnormal throughout the whole brain and partial is nerve discharge abnormal spreads partially through the brain
Generalized tonic-clinic seizure (grand mal)
Throughout the brain, usually experience an aura (flash of light, ugly taste or weird sensation) the persons conscious is usually loss, can fall, teeth clench, body shakes rapidly
Seizure may last a few minutes
Generalized seizures (absence seizures -petit mal)
Mostly experienced by children
Brief blank stares everywhere
Lasts for seconds
Can be misdiagnosed
Partial seizures (simple)
Never cells discharge surrounds part of the brain
Jacksonian seizure- began in on side of the body and slowly porgressed
Partial seizures (complex)
Psychomotor seizure-loss of awareness of surroundings but is part of one side of the brain Person may pace, wander around Can last 20 minutes long Confusion is normal after convulsion Often mistaken for substance abuse
Status epilepticus
3 seizures in an hour and no recovery so far
Tonic
Muscles end up drug and so does legs arms and etc.usually invokes all or most of the brain seizure usually lasts up to 20 seconds
Myoclonic
Shock like jerks of the muscle
Diagnosis of epilepsy
Physical examinations, blood work,detailed family history
EEG OR MRI
Management
Often said that meds do no cure,only magnates the symptoms
One seizure no medications, is often monitored
If has scar tissue then surgery may be involved
Personal and psychological issues
Always concerned another seizure will occur
No control, harder to socialize or have relationships
Vocational
Most likely to experienced unemployment
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges (membrane surrounding ding the brain to spinal cord)
What is meningitis usually caused by?
Bacteria, viruses and is often confirmed by a lumbar puncture
Symptoms of meningitis
Flu-like symptoms, fever, sensitivity looking at lights
Can be fatal
Immunizations are to be take
Can cause deafness paralysis
Encephalitis
Inflammation to the brain due to an invasion by species (west Nile river)
Mosquito
Can experience a stiff neck, coma
Sleep apnea
Creation of breathing; often leads to being sleepy during the day
Lack of sleep can cause stress ,personality changes, can lead to hypertension, heart disease and death
Obstructive sleep apnea
Due to your throat closing in because your muscles relax
Central sleep apnea
Brain fails to send signals to respiration
Narcolepsy
Disruption of sleep control mechanism
Sleep during the day
