epilepsy-bloch Flashcards
What is a seizure?
Paroxysmal, excessive and disorderly discharging of neurons
What are the components of a seizure?
aura- earliest portion of seizureictus- actual seizurepost-ictal- immediately after seizure
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is defined as a syndrome of recurrent seizures
What is an aura?
the beginning of a seizure…if it starts in the temporal lobe-may smell something bad.
T/F Some epileptic patients don’t have a post-ictal period.
True.
T/F Epilepsy is a benign disease.
False. sudden death can happen w/ epileptic patients.happens during sleep.
T/F Treatment completely cures epilepsy.
False.50% of epileptics continue to experience seizures despite treatment
T/F Following one seizure, you can make a diagnosis of epilepsy.
False. One seizure does not an epileptic make.
Which age groups is epilepsy most common in?
young children & older age group
What are the categories of seizures?
Partial seizuresGeneralized seizures–convulsive–nonconvulsiveStatus EpilepticusNon-epileptic seizures
What are generalized seizures?
starts in both hemispheres at the same timecan be convulsive or non convulsive (just stare)
What are partial seizures?
starts in one hemisphere & then maybe spreads to another…
Do you intubate for non-convulsive status epileptics?
no.
Describe a simple partial seizure.
patient remains conscious. Stays in one area of the cortex.
Describe a complex partial seizure.
usu start in temporal lobe. Impaired consciousness. Will move.
Describe a secondarily generalized seizure.
loss of consciousness. Clonic jerks of muscles. Pt enters deep stupor of 15-30 min.
What happens in myoclonic jerks?
happen w/o loss of consciouness. Tend to be around sleep time.
What happens in atonic seizures?
sudden loss of muscle tone that lasts for a few seconds, occurs in children often.
Can a simple seizure become complex? What else can it become?
simple–Complex is possible.Either can become secondarily generalized.
What are the different types of generalized seizures?
Typical absence seizures (petit mal)
-atypical absence
Myoclonic-subtle. Happens a lot in children. Drop things.
Clonic—more flexing posture
Tonic—more extending posture
Tonic-clonic (grand mal)
Atonic-pt loses all muscle tone, see with helmets.
T/F Patients usu oscillate b/w tonic & clonic movements in their seizure.
True. Rarely just clonic or tonic.