Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Pathologies of Neuro > Epilepsy/ syncope > Flashcards

Epilepsy/ syncope Flashcards

1
Q

Common causes of loss of consciousness

A
  • epilepsy

- syncope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How to assess and episode of loss of consciousness

A

Before:
-events leading up

The episode itself:
-Warning symptoms 
-Awareness 
-Things to note:
Eyes open/close
Abnormal movements 
Pallor
Duration

After episode:

  • how quickly they regain consciousness
  • seizure marks
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Categories of syncope

A 
Reflex/ neuro-cognitive:
-Taking blood 
-Cough
Cardiogenic: arrythmia / aortic stenosis 
Orthostatic :
-Dehydration
-autonomic nervous system
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Assessment

A

Examination:

  • Look for palpitations
  • Postural BP

ECG

  • Heart block
  • QT ratio

24hr ECG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Characteristics of cariogenic syncope?

A

-On exertion
-During episode:
palpitation, chest pain, SOB
Unable to feel pulse
-After episode:
chest pain/ palpitations
clammy/sweaty
Came around quickly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is epilepsy

A

Disruption of the electrical activity of the neurones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

When is a person said to have epilepsy

A

If they suffer from more than one episode of unprovoked seizure or if there is a high tendency of reoccurrence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What causes a provoked structured seizure?

A
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Drug withdrawal
  • Within 24 hours of a stroke
  • Within 24h of neurosurgery
  • Eclampsia
  • With severe electrolyte disturbance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Different types of epilepsy?

A
  • Generalised

- Focal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Categorisation of general epilepsies?

A
  • Absence
  • Generalised tonic-clonic
  • Myoclonic
  • Juvenile myoclonic
  • Atonic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Properties of general epilepsies

A
  • No warning
  • Younger than 25
  • Generalised symptoms of EEG
  • May have family history
  • Previous episodes of absences/ myoclonic jerks/ general tonic-clonic episodes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Characters of absence seizures?

A
  • Common in children
  • Rarely remembered
  • Can be triggered by hyperventilation/ photic stimulation (i.e. light through clouds)
  • Stop all activity for a few seconds then regain consciousness
  • Eyes fluttering
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Generalised tonic clonic seizures: what happens before the even

A
  • Uneventful

- PMH: trauma, meningitis, complications at birth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

GTC: event itself

A
  • Vague warning such as irritability before hand
  • Groaning sound
  • Tonic (rigid phase) followed by all 4 limb jerking movements
  • Eyes open : staring or rolling upwards
  • Foaming at mouth
  • Jerking for about 15-30 mins
  • Groggy for a while before they regain consciousness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

GTC: what happens after the event

A
  • Lateral tongue biting
  • Muscle pain
  • Does not recover for a while (e.g. in ambulance)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What triggers juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

A

-Sleep deprivation
-Stress
In adolescence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happens during juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

A
  • Absence
  • GTC seizures
  • Early morning myoclonus (likely to drop things in the morning)
  • Jerky limb movements
18
Q

What are the properties of focal seizures

A
  • Get aura
  • Any age
  • Focal abnormality of EEG
  • MRI may show cause
  • Simple and complete partial can become secondary generalised
19
Q

Types of focal seizure

A
  • Simple partial
  • Complex partial
  • Secondary generalised
20
Q

What happens before a complete partial seizure

A
  • Weird feeling in the belly

- Feeling of De Ja Vu

21
Q

What happens during a complete partial seizure

A
  • Sudden stop of activity
  • Stares blankly into space
  • Automatisms: staring blankly into space/ smacking of lips
  • no recollection
22
Q

What happens after complete partial seizure

A

Does not recollect for a while

23
Q

How to assess a seizure

A
  • Refer to first seizure clinic
  • EEG
  • MRI for focal lesion
  • anti-epileptic drugs
  • epilepsy nurse
  • Driving
24
Q

Risk factors associated with seizures

A
  • Hasnt taken medication
  • sleep/disturbance/ fatigue
  • Hormonal changes
  • Drug/alcohol use
  • Stress/ anxiety
  • Photosensitivity
25
Q

First line of treatment of epilepsy

A
  • Sodium Valproate, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam for primary generalised epilepsies
  • Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam for focal and secondary generalised seizures
  • Ethosuximide for absence seizures
26
Q

Treatment for acute epilepsy

A
  • Lorazepam, midazolam (diazepam) first line:

* Valproate or phenytoin second line for status epilepticus

27
Q

Side effects of phenytoin

A

what’s the HAP?
Arrythmia
Hepatits

28
Q

Side effects for carbamazepine

A

ABDN BLows

  • Ataxia
  • Drowsiness
  • Nystagmus
  • Blurry vision
  • Skin rash
  • Low serum sodium levels
29
Q

Side effects for sodium Valproate

A

DAWN HAT

  • Drowsiness
  • Ataxia
  • weight gain
  • Nystagmus

Heptatitis
Avoid in pregnant
Tremor

30
Q

Side effects for Lamotrigine

A

LaSS

  • skin rash
  • diffuclty sleeping
31
Q

Side effects for leveracitam

A

LID

  • irritability
  • Depression
32
Q

Driving regulations after a singles episode

A
  • 6 months after episode if investigations are normal and they have had no further episodes
  • They can drive HGV/ PSV (larger vehicles) after 5 years if same as above applies
33
Q

Driving regulations if they are epileptic

A
  • Can drive after 1 year if they have no further episode or only episodes which arise in their sleep
  • They can drive an HGV/PSV- if they are seizure free for 10 years
34
Q

What is status epileptics

A

A prolonged state of epilepsy lasting more than 30 mins with no interruption

35
Q

First line and second line of treatment for status epileptics

A

First line: diazepam

Second line: Phenytoin

36
Q

What the outcomes of status epilecticus

A
  • High mortality rate especially in the young

- Avoid secondary injury

37
Q

What is a pesudoseizure

A

Non-epileptic seizure

38
Q

What happens leading up to pseudo seizure

A
  • High stress

- Remember other people reactions

39
Q

What happens during a pseudo seizure/after

A

Event itself:

  • Prolonged period of waining
  • May describe dissociation

After event:
-Remember other peoples reactions

40
Q

How do epileptic drugs work?

A

Sodium channel blockers:
Lamotrigine
Carbapezamine

Calcium Channel blockers:
Phenytoin

GABA receptor enhancement
Benzodiazapenes: Lorezapam, midazolam

GABA release:
Valpronate
Gabapentine

Pathologies of Neuro (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions