Epilepsy

Question 1

What is epilepsy?

Answer 1

Recurrent tendency to spontaneous, intermittant and abnormal electrical brain activity (seizure)

Question 2

Key points in the history for diagnosis

Answer 2

Witnesses
Continence
Tongue biting
Prodrome
Duration
Recovery
Previous episodes
Family history
Drugs and Alcohol

Question 3

What are the 6 kinds of seizure?

Answer 3

Tonic- Rigidity
Clonic- Repetitive jerking movements
Tonic Clonic
Absence
Atonic- loss of tone
Myoclonic- Sporadic limb jerks

Question 4

How do you treat Partial seizures?

Answer 4

Lamotrigene
Carbamazepine
Sodium Valproate
Phenytoin
Levitiracem

Question 5

How do you treat absence seizures?

Answer 5

Sodium Valproate

Lamotrigene

Question 6

How to you treat Generalised Tonic Clonic Seizures?

Answer 6

Sodium Valproate
Lamotrigene
Carbamazepine
Topirimate
Phenytoin
Levitiracem

Question 7

What is the main acceptable medication for seizures in pregnancy?

Answer 7

Lamotrigene

Question 8

Which is known to be the worst?

Answer 8

Sodium Valproate

Question 9

What are the side effects of Sodium Valproate?

Answer 9

Teratogenic
Hepatotoxic
Weight gain due to increased apetite
Ataxia
Encephalopathy

Question 10

What are the side effects of Lamotrigene?

Answer 10

Hypersensitivity Rash
Nausea
Dizziness
Ataxia

Question 11

What are the side effects of Carbamazepine?

Answer 11

Hyponatraemia
Hepatic Enzymes Induced
Leukopenia
Diplopia
Blurred Vision
Rash
Loss of Balance

Question 12

How do you treat Status Epilepticus?

Answer 12

Rectal Diazepam/ Buccal Midazolam
IV Lorazepam
IV Phenytoin (go slow and monitor ECG)
Phenobarbital