Epilepsy: causes and treatment Flashcards
What is a seizure
A transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain
What causes different type of epileptic symptom
Some seizures occur in different networks of cerebral neurons
What is epilepsy
A pathological and enduring tendency to have recurrent seizures and by the neuro-biologic, cognitive, psychological and social consequences of this condition
Why does seizure type matter
Seizure type often determines treatment
What are the two main type of seizures
Generalised seizures- starts simultaneously in both hemispheres
Focal seizures- Seizure starts in a focus and then spreads
What are the 3 subtypes of common generalised seizures
Typical absence
Myoclonic
Tonic-clonic
When do Absence seizures start
What are symptoms
Childhood
Sudden loss and return of consciousness
Flickery eye movements
Some Involuntary movement
Frequent brief attacks (1-30s)
What do Absence Seizures respond to
Some anti-epileptic drugs and not others
What does the EEG in an absence seizure look like
Spike and wave pattern
Occur at frequency of 3Hz
What is a Myoclonic seizure like
When is it worse
Sudden, brief, shock-like muscle contractions (Myoclonic jerk)
Usually bilateral arm jerks
Define certain Epilepsy syndromes
–>Often worse in mornings
–>Precipitated by sleep deprivation and alcohol
What do Myoclonic seizures respond to
Particular anti-epileptics
What are the features of Tonic-CLonic seizures
Sudden onset, gasp, fall
Tonic phase with cyanosis
Clonic phase
Post-ictal phase
Tongue bitten and incontinence
Noisy breathing
Headache and muscle pain afterwards
What are types of uncommon generalised seizures
what are they usually associated with
Atypical absence
Tonic
Atonic
–>Severe epilepsy
What are symptoms of atonic seizures
Sudden dropping
Limp and unconscious
Only lasts a split second
More common in children with severe epilepsy
What is first seen in a focal seizure that starts in motor area
Twitching or jerking
