Epilepsy Flashcards
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition associated with reduced GABA levels in the brain that leads to abnormal cell-cell message propagation
What are the signs and symptoms of a febrile seizure?
- fever
- face may turn blue or red
- eyes rolling upwards
- loss of consciousness
- muscles and limbs jerk
At what temperature are patients more at risk of a seizure?
above 38 degrees
What are the main classifications of epilepsy?
- Generalised
- Partial
What are the divisions of generalised epilepsy?
- tonic/clonic
- absence
- myclonic/atonic
What are the divisions of partial epilepsy?
- simple partial
- complex partial
- simple sensory
What are the triggers for epilepsy?
- idiopathic
- trauma (head injury)
- CNS disease
- social
what are examples of CNS diseases that can trigger epilepsy?
- tumour
- stroke
- CJD
- meningitis
- encephalitis
what are examples of social triggers for epilepsy?
- late nights
- alcohol
- hypoglycaemia
- flashing lights
What are the features of Tonic Clonic seizures?
- prodromal aura
- loss of consciousness/continence
- initial tonic
- clonic phase
- post-ictal drowsiness
what does tonic mean in relation to seizures?
Body becomes extremely stiff
- can be dangerous to spine
what does clonic mean in relation to seizures?
Contraction/relaxation of body
- jerky movements at this point
how long do tonic clonic seizures typically last for?
1-3mins
- can be recurrent however and this is dangerous
Why are status epilepticus (recurrent seizures) so dangerous?
Patient becomes increasingly hypoxic which can affect the brain
What are the features of Petit Mal (absence) seizures?
- short lived episodes (5-15 seconds)
- loss of awareness
- eyelids flutter, vacant stare, stops activity, loss of response
