Epilepsy 2 Flashcards
what is status epilepticus
recurrent epileptic seizures lasting >5 mins without full recovery
types of status epilepticus
generalised convulsive non convulsive (conscious but altered state) focal motor (epilepsia partialis) - lasts ages
how will you know if a patient has focal motor status epilepticus?
arm or leg will jerk for days after the seizure
precipitants of status epilepticus
metabolic disorders eg hyponatraemia infection head trauma SAH drug induced
why should you slowly withdraw anti-convulsants?
can cause status epilepticus if withdrawn suddenly
how does convulsive status epilepticus cause lasting damage?
putting alot of tension on muscles which will cause hypoxia, hypotension, hyperthermia, rhabdo due to excess cerebral energy demand
how is status managed?
ABCD(DEFG!!)E
bloods ) +/- CT
benzodiazepine + their normal meds
best anticonvulsant for someone in status epilepticus
benzodiazepines 10mg buccally
if patient with status still has fits after 10 mins of benzodiazepines what do you give them
phenytoin IV
if patient is still fitting after benzodiazepines and phenytoin what should you do?
call ICU within an hour
only give a benzodiazepine if….
they are having a prolonged seizure ie are in status elepticus
dont treat seizures unless theyre in status T or F
T
how do people react after an epileptic seizure
confused
disorientated
not responding to speech
juvenile absence epilepsy presents with
patient suddenly pauses and stares, and goes back to normal after
if a patient’s epilepsy affects their ability to speak, where could the problem be?
language centre in the temporal lobe
