Epilepsy

Question 1

What is a seizure?

Answer 1

Sudden burst of uncontrolled electrical activity within the brain, causing disruption in the regular messaging resulting in an observable physical reaction in the body

Question 2

What are the classifications of seizures?
How are they classified?

Answer 2

Partial and Generalised

Partial seizures involve irregular electrical activity in a smaller part of the brain whereas generalised seizures involve irregular electrical activity across the whole brain

Question 3

What are two different types of partial seizures?

Answer 3

Simple partial seizures (Aura)
* Involves a small area of the brain
* The person is fully aware but may not be able to control function or behaviour
* Strange sensations, abdominal pain, olfactory or visual abnormalities, restless or sudden movement, hearing distortion, anxiety and/or fear

Complex partial seizures
* Involves a larger area of the brain than a simple partial seizure
* Altered consciousness
* Cannot control function or behaviour
* May be preceded by a simple partial seizure
* May involve changes in memory
* May develop into a generalised seizure if abnormal electrical activity spreads

Question 4

What are two different types of generalised seizure?

Answer 4

Tonic-clonic Seizure
* Total loss of consciousness and stiffening of muscles in tonic phase
* Jerking and twitching of extremities in clonic phase
* Slow return to consciousness with tiredness and confusion

Absence Seizure
* Loss of awareness
* May appear to be daydreaming or staring into space
* Can be preceded and followed by regular activity
* Minimal movement during seizure

Question 5

What are the stages of a seizure?

Answer 5

Prodromal stage
Aura
Ictus (Seizure)
Post-Ictus

Question 6

What symptoms can occur in the prodromal stage of a seizure?

How long before a seizure can these symptoms begin?

Answer 6

Low mood
Irritation and anger
Difficulty sleeping
Anxiety
GI Irritation
Urinary issues

These can occur days before a seizure

Question 7

What symptoms can occur in the aura stage of a seizure?

How long before a seizure can these symptoms begin and do they occur with all seizures?

Answer 7

Altered vision or hearing
Anxiety
Dizziness
Inability to speak
Sudden weird taste or smell
Deja vu

These can occur just before a seizure but not with all seizures

Question 8

How long does a seizure normally last?

What happens if a seizure lasts more than 5 mins or a person has back-to-back seizures without recovering consciousness?

Answer 8

Usually 1-3 minutes

Greater than 5 minutes or back-to-back seizures (Status epilepticus) can potentially cause brain damage

Question 9

What happens in the post-ictus phase of a seizure?

How long can it last?

Answer 9

The brain is recovering from the seizure
The person may feel
* Tired
* Confused
* Headache

This stage can last from hours to days after a tonic-clonic seizure