Epilepsy Flashcards
What is a seizure
Seizure - sudden, irregular discharge of electrical activity in the brain causing a physical manifestation such as sensory disturbance, unconciousness or convulsions
There is disorder to the discharge
What is a convulsion
Convulsion - uncontrolled shaking movements of the body due to rapid and repeated contraction and relaxation of muscle
What is an aura
Aura - perceptual disturbance experienced prior to a seizure
What is epilepsy
Epilepsy - neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, LOC or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Recurrent seizure of the same type
What is status epilepticus and what drugs are used in the treatment
Status epilepticus - epileptic seizures occuring continuously without recovery of consciousness in between
Use phenytoin or benzodiazepines (lorazepam, diazepam)
Describe the two main classifications of seizures
Partial - single electrical focus in one part of the brain. Either simple (same consciousness) or complex (consciousness impaired)
Generalised - multiple ectopic impulses across the brain. May start as single focurs and then spread
Describe the different seziures classified under generalised seizures
Absence - day-dreaming. Blank out then continue on
Myoclonic - brief, shock-like muscle jerks. No increase in tone
Tonic-clonic - increased muscle tone and limb rigidity along wtih convulsions
Tonic - stiff limbs due to increased muscle tone
Atonic - complete loss of muscle tone
What investigations can be done to diagnose epilepsy
History - find out what happened before, during and after episode
Electroencephalogram - supports diagnosis
MIR - look for structural abnormalities
ECG - look for arrhythmias
Bloods - look for causes of epilepsy
Name some secondary causes of epilepsy
Stroke, TIA
Abscess, Meningitis
SLE
Intracerebral haemorrhage
Hypoxia
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypoglycaemia
Thyroid dysfunction
Drugs
Alcohol withdrawal
Intracerebral mass
