EPILEPSY Flashcards
Flashcard 1:
Q: What is the general approach to epilepsy treatment in the UK?
A: The general approach to epilepsy treatment is individualized based on the seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, comorbidities, and the person’s lifestyle and preferences.
Flashcard 2:
Q: What is the first-line treatment for focal seizures?
A: First-line treatment for focal seizures typically includes carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or levetiracetam.
Flashcard 3:
Q: How does carbamazepine work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Carbamazepine stabilizes neuronal membranes by inhibiting sodium channels, reducing the repetitive firing of neurons.
Flashcard 4:
Q: What are common side effects of carbamazepine?
A: Common side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and rash.
Flashcard 5:
Q: How does lamotrigine work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Lamotrigine works by stabilizing neuronal membranes and inhibiting the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Flashcard 6:
Q: What are common side effects of lamotrigine?
A: Common side effects can include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, sleepiness, and rash.
Flashcard 7:
Q: How does levetiracetam work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Levetiracetam works by binding to synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is thought to impede nerve conduction across synapses.
Flashcard 8:
Q: What are common side effects of levetiracetam?
A: Common side effects can include sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and behavioral changes.
Flashcard 9:
Q: What is the first-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
A: First-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures typically includes sodium valproate, lamotrigine, or levetiracetam.
Flashcard 10:
Q: How does sodium valproate work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Sodium valproate works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain and by preventing the breakdown of this neurotransmitter.
Flashcard 11:
Q: What are common side effects of sodium valproate?
A: Common side effects can include nausea, tremor, weight gain, and hair loss. Importantly, sodium valproate can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
Flashcard 12:
Q: What is the first-line treatment for absence seizures?
A: First-line treatment for absence seizures typically includes ethosuximide or sodium valproate.
Flashcard 13:
Q: How does ethosuximide work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Ethosuximide works by reducing the low-threshold calcium currents in thalamic neurons, thus modulating the rhythmic firing of these neurons.
Flashcard 14:
Q: What are common side effects of ethosuximide?
A: Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, and rash.
Flashcard 15:
Q: What non-pharmacological treatments can be considered for epilepsy?
A: Non-pharmacological treatments, such as the ketogenic diet, vagus nerve stimulation, and epilepsy surgery, may be considered for some people with epilepsy who do not respond to medication.
Flashcard 16:
Q: What role do regular reviews play in the management of epilepsy?
A: Regular reviews allow healthcare providers to assess seizure control, monitor for side effects, evaluate the need for continued treatment, and provide ongoing support and education.
Flashcard 17:
Q: What are the considerations for women with epilepsy who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
A: Women with epilepsy who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should be managed with a specialist to balance seizure control with the safety of medications during pregnancy. Sodium valproate should be avoided due to the risk of birth defects.
Flashcard 18:
Q: What is the first-line treatment for status epilepticus?
A: The first-line treatment for status epilepticus is typically a benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam or diazepam.
Flashcard 19:
Q: How do benzodiazepines work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A:
Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, reducing neuronal excitability and thus terminating seizures.
Flashcard 20:
Q: What are common side effects of benzodiazepines?
A:
Common side effects can include drowsiness, confusion, and loss of balance or coordination. Prolonged use can lead to dependence.
Flashcard 21:
Q: What is the role of epilepsy specialist nurses (ESNs) in the management of epilepsy?
A:
ESNs provide information, support, and advice to people with epilepsy and their families. They also play a key role in facilitating communication between the person with epilepsy and the multidisciplinary team.
Flashcard 22:
Q: What is topiramate, and how does it work in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug that blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, enhances GABA activity, antagonizes glutamate receptors, and inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzymes.
Flashcard 23:
Q: What are the common side effects of topiramate?
A: Common side effects can include tiredness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty with concentration, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
Flashcard 24:
Q: What is clobazam, and when is it used in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Clobazam is a benzodiazepine medication used as an adjunctive treatment for seizures in conditions like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It enhances the activity of GABA in the brain.
Flashcard 25:
Q: What are common side effects of clobazam?
A: Common side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, cough, and fever.
Flashcard 26:
Q: How are breakthrough seizures managed in the outpatient setting?
A: Breakthrough seizures might indicate the need for a change in antiepileptic drug regimen and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. If seizures become more frequent or severe, emergency care may be necessary.
Flashcard 27:
Q: What is the ketogenic diet, and how does it help in epilepsy?
A: The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can reduce seizure frequency in some individuals with epilepsy, particularly children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The exact mechanism is unknown.
Flashcard 28:
Q: What is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and when is it used in epilepsy treatment?
A: VNS is a type of therapy where a device is implanted under the skin that sends electrical signals to the vagus nerve, reducing seizure frequency. It’s typically used for individuals who haven’t responded well to medications.
Flashcard 29:
Q: What is the role of epilepsy surgery in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Epilepsy surgery, such as resective surgery or disconnection procedures, can be considered for individuals with drug-resistant focal epilepsy to potentially achieve seizure freedom.
Flashcard 30:
Q: How are triggers managed in the treatment of epilepsy?
A: Identifying and managing triggers—like missed medication, lack of sleep, stress, or certain foods—can be a key part of epilepsy treatment. Trigger management varies widely depending on the individual.
