Epilepsy + Seizures Flashcards
What is Epilepsy definition?
Umbrella term for a collection of seizures where there are episodes of abnormal electrical activity
What are the 2 main investigations with px with Epilepsy
MRI
Electroencephalography (EEG)
what are 2 types of Epilepsy’s that occur in adults
Generalised Tonic-Clonic seizure
Focal Seizure (“temporal”)
What are the 3 types of Epilepsy that occur in children
Absence Seizure (“Blank”)
Atonic Seizure (“Drop Attacks”)
Myoclonic Seizure (“Jump”)
What are the 3 stages in a Generalised Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Muscle Tensing (Tonic)
Muscle Jerking (Clonic)
Postictal Period (drowsiness after seizure)
What 4 symptoms can arise with a generalised tonic-clonic seizure that doesn’t include the tonic/clonic part
Tongue Biting
Incontinence
Groaning
Irregular Breathing
what is the 1st and 2nd line treatment in a Generalised Tonic-Clonic Seizure
1st ==> Sodium Valproate
2nd ==> Carbamazepine
Where does focal seizures affect in the head?
What can this lead to (4)
Temporal Lobes
==> Memory affected
==> Speech affected
==> Hallucinations
==> Deja Vu
What is the 1st and 2nd line treatment in a focal seizure (temporal)
1st ==> Carbamazepine
2nd ==> Sodium Valproate
In an absence seizure, how long does the child typically stare into space for?
10-30s
Treatment for Absence seizures?
Sodium Valproate
Atonic Seizure in Children is caused by what?
Brief lapses in muscle tone => randomly falling over
What are Atonic Seizures potentially indicative of (syndrome)?
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
==> Brain injury that results in children having seizures
Myoclonic Seizures leads to what happening in children?
Brief muscle contraction ==> Randomly jump up
Myoclonic seizures is potentially indicative of what (Syndrome)
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
What are the 1st + 2nd line treatments for Myoclonic Seizures + Atonic Seizures
1st ===> Sodium Valproate
2nd ===> Lamotrigine
How does Sodium Valproate work/
Increases GABA by reducing GABA metabolism
More GABA => relaxes brain as it inhibits neuronal activity
Which type of people is Sodium Valproate avoided in?
Why?
Pregnant Women
Highly Teratogenic
Status Epilepticus is what?
Medical emergency that can lead to permanent brain injury / death
Status Epilepticus is defined as having what (2)
Seizure >5mins
> 3 seizures in 1hour
What is given in Status Epilepticus?
IV Lorazepam
