Epilepsy - Block 1 Flashcards
What is a seizure?
a transient alteration of behavior due to the disordered, synchronous, and rhythmic firing of populations of brain neurons
What is epilepsy?
a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent (≥ 2) seizures that are unprovoked
What can cause acute symptomatic sz?
- Neurologic insult
- Metabolic disorder
* Electrolyte imbalances: Hyponatremia (<115 mmol/L); Hypocalcemia (<5 mmol/L); Hypomagnesemia (<0.8 mg/dL)
* Hypo- or hyper-glycemia - Medication
- Alcohol and toxics
What are the medications that cause seizures?
- Beta lactams
- Fluroroquinolones
- Theophylline
- Bupropion
- Second gen clozapine
- Lithium
- Meperidine, morphine, propoxyphene
- Tramadol
What are the causes of epilepsy?
- Genetic
- Structural
- Infection
- Metabolic
- Immune
- Idiopathic
Descibe the age onset of epilepsy?
Before age 2: Fever, hereditary or congenital neurologic disorders, birth injuries, and inherited or acquired metabolic disorders
Ages 2 to 14: Idiopathic seizure disorders
Adults: Cerebral trauma, alcohol withdrawal, tumors, strokes, and an unknown cause (in 50%)
Older people: Tumors and strokes
What are the 2 facotrs that contribute to the development of epilepsy?
- Hyperexcitability
- Hypersynchronization
What are the phases of a seizure?
- Prodromal: hours/days before seizure
- Aural: deja vu, jamais vu, odd smells, tastes, dz
- Ictal: first sx to end of seizure
- Recovery: confusion, lack of consciousness
What are the 2 classes of seizure types?
- Focal: One side
- Generalized: Both sides
- Unclassified
How are seizures classified?
- Onset
- If focal, must identify aware or impaired if known (if unknown omit). Don’t have to identify this for generalized since impaired awareness is implied
- First sign or symptom
What is the difference between focal aware and focal impaired awareness sz?
FA: simple partial sz
FIA: complex partial sz
Another name for focal to bilateral tonic clonic?
partial onset with secondary generalization or secondarily generalized tonic–clonic (GTC) seizure
What is most commonly seen in focal aware sz?
Aura
What is the most common form of generalized motor sz?
Tonic clonic (grand mal)
What are the oresentations of generalized nonmotor sz?
Absense: Abrupt onset and offset of impaired consciousness
* Duration is about 2 to 30 seconds
* No postictal confusion or lethargy
What is the tx goal for sz?
No seizures, no ADRs
How should we treat sz?
What are the tx for sz?
Non pharm: Diet, vagus nerve stim, surgery, support groups
Pharm: ASD (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
What type of diet is used for epilepsy?
Ketogenic: high in fats and low carbs and proteins -> acidosis and ketosis
What are the forms of ketogenic diets?
- Classic (4:1 (90% fat and 10% protein and carbohydrate) with restricted calories and fluids
- Modified Atkins (1:1 (65% fat, 25% protein, and 10% carbohydrate)
- Low glycemic index (least ADRs)
What is vagal nerve stimi?
Implantable and non-implantable options for refractory and generalized sz
ADR: hoarseness, voice alteration, increased cough, pharyngitis, dyspnea, dyspepsia, and nausea