Classification Of Seizures Flashcards
What is a seizure?
Abnormal excess neuronal activity in the brain
Status epilepticus
Seizure lasting for >5 minutes or recurrent back to back seizures without regain of consciousness associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality
Epilepsy
Seizure disorder; recurrent seizures that are not provoked and do have underlying chronic process / idiopathic
Generalized seizure
Involves both cerebral hemisphere
Focal seizure
More localized/ broad spread but limited to one cerebral hemisphere
Tonic seizure
Characterized by muscle stiffness/ contraction, person typically falls backward
Atonic seizure
Characterized by atonia, patient becomes very relaxed and might fall forward
Clonic seizure
Rhythmic involuntary muscle constructions
Myoclonic seizure
More short and involves spasms
Tonic clonic seizure
Limb contraction > extension > jerking movements could be associated with ictal cry and is also known as grand mal cyanotic, may become incontinent but resolves within fee minutes
Absence seizure
Period of unresponsiveness lack of awareness commonly presents with staring then quick resolve
Categories of focal seizure
Dyscognitive features : not aware
Non dyscognituve features : aware the whole time and has memory of what happened never lost consciousness
When motor typically tremors, tonic, clonic or automatic moments like lip licking, rubbing hands
Non motor- a sensation/ aura
Post ictal phase
Lasts seconds to minutes to several hours
E.g post ictal confusion
Paralysis that occurs after seizure resolves in 48 hours > Todd’s paralysis
Jacksonian March
Progress of a focal seizure from one point in hemisphere to another so different changes at different times in different muscle groups
History that suggests a seizure than alternatives causes of LOc
- known with epilepsy/ previous seizures
- tonic clonic, tongue bitting
- convincing prodrome
- Post ictal period
- urinate incontinence
