Epilepsy Flashcards
What are epileptic seizures?
Transient episodes of uncontrolled discharge of cerebral neurons, causing a variety of symptoms
What is epilepsy?
The recurrence of epileptic seizures
Why is epilepsy more common over 65?
People are more likely to have strokes, tumours or Alzheimer’s disease
What is used to diagnose epilepsy?
Detailed history
Physical examination
EEG
Blood tests
MRI or CT
How does an MRI help in the diagnosis of MS?
Reveals brain structure with a lesion or damage as a source or focus of epilepsy
What does an EEG do?
Measures CNS electrical activity
What is a focal seizure?
Affects only part of the brain
What is a generalised seizure?
Affects both hemispheres
Why is a diagnosis of the correct type of epilepsy important?
Drug may be very effective for one type of epilepsy but may make other forms worse
What does the frontal lobe do?
Movement, emotions, self-control and personality
What does the temporal lobe do?
Auditory, language and memory
What does the cerebellum do?
Motor control, posture, language and emotional control
What does an EEG look like for a generalised seizure?
Synchronous spike waves in all electrodes
What does an EEG look like for a focal seizure?
Spike waves in some electrodes due to spreading to other electrodes
What happens during a focal awareness seizure?
Person is conscious
Tingling, twitching, flashing lights and fear
Symptoms depend on part of the brain affected
What happens during a focal impaired seizure?
May affect larger part of one hemisphere
Person may be confused
Automatism
What is automatism?
Strange repetitive movements
What is an absence seizure?
Blank, unresponsive and briefly unconscious
What is a tonic clonic seizure?
Unconscious, stiff muscles (tonic), shake and jerk (clonic)
What is status epilepticus?
Continuous and repeated seizures longer than 30 mins
What treatments are used for tonic clonic seizures?
Buccal midazolam
Rectal diazepam
Why should a person be watched closely after emergency seizure treatment?
Treatment may cause breathing difficulties
