Epilepsy and seizures Flashcards
if epilepsy isn’t idiopathic, what is the likely cause (2)
tumour or stroke
definition of epilepsy
someone who has a lesser threshold for seizures than average
is focal epilepsy more common in children or elderly
elderly
is generalized epilepsy more common in children or elderly
children
how do focal seizures differ from generalized seizures
focal seizures occur in one area of the brain - so present with specific symptoms
how does a focal sensory seizure present
no physical seizure
loss of somatosensory/gustatory/olfactory/visual/auditory sensation
where does a focal motor seizure (most common type) occur (Which part of the brian)
frontal lobe
where does a focal sensory seizure occur (which part of brain)
parietal lobe
how may a temporal lobe seizure present (2)
dyscognitive seizure - twitching of hands, excessive blinking
psychic seizure - abnormal memories, depersonlisation, complex hallucinations
how does an occipital lobe seizure present
visual phenomena eg flashing lights, spots
what type of hallucinations do uncal fits present with
olfactory hallucinations
uncal area of brain = part of temporal lobe covering uncus
what type of hallucinations does temporal lobe epilepsy present with
what symptom specifically
olfactory hallucinations
can smell burning rubber
what do 2/3 of focal seizures lead on to
how does this happen
2/3 of focal seizures cause a secondary generalized seizure
the focal seizure hits the cortical network = triggers a generalized seizure
what is the network (area of brain) called that is affected in generalized seizures
cortical network
what type of seizure lasts <10s and presents as someone stopping talking midsentence
are they generalized or focal seizures
absence seizures
generalized seizures - occur in children
what type of seizure presents as someone dropping something as a result of a sudden jerk of limb/face etc
are they generalized or focal seizures
myoclonic seizures
generalized seizures
by what mode of inheritance is myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibres passed on
mitochondrial inheritance
what type of seizure presents with sudden loss of muscle tone causing a fall
are they generalized or focal seizures
atonic seizure (muscles have no tone = fall)
generalized seizure
what type of seizure presents with rigid arms that are flexed
are they generalized or focal seizures
tonic seizure
generalized seizure
what type of seizure presents with rigidity of the arms then shaking
are they generalized or focal seizures
tonic clonic seizure
(clonic = rhythmic jerking/twitching of muscles)
generalized seizure
triggers of seizures (4)
alcohol
drugs
sleep deprivation
flashing lights
what is the change in mood that ‘pre warns’ someone that they are about to have a seizure
prodrome
what is the part of the seizure called when someone is still conscious
may experience strange smells or de ja vu
aura
other differentials of seizure (status epilepticus) that aren’t epilepsy (7)
post syncope hypoglycaemia hyponatraemia hypoxia drugs head trauma subarachnoid haemorrhage
only 25% are epileptics!