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Neurology- Clinical > Epilepsy - Types of Seizures > Flashcards

Epilepsy - Types of Seizures Flashcards

1
Q

What is epilepsy?

A

A tendency to recurrent, usually spontaneous seizures

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2
Q

Why do seizures occur in epilepsy?

A

Due to unprovoked electrical activity in the brain

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3
Q

Epileptic seizures will have stereotypical features, what does this mean?

A

The same thing will happen each time

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4
Q

In epilepsy, there is interruption of normal brain activity. This can be focal - what does this mean?

A

Discharge only affects one small area of the brain

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5
Q

In epilepsy, there is interruption of normal brain activity. This can be generalised - what does this mean?

A

Discharge spreads through lots of parts of the brain and involves large areas of cortex

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6
Q

How long do epileptic seizures usually last? They are usually pathological seizures if they last longer than how long?

A

Seconds-minutes / 10 minutes

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7
Q

When are the 2 peak onsets of epilepsy?

A

First in childhood and then a second peak in elderly age

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8
Q

What are the causes for the first peak onset of epilepsy in childhood?

A

Primary idiopathic epilepsies and developmental abnormalities

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9
Q

What are the causes for the second peak onset of epilepsy in elderly age?

A

Structural brain abnormalities e.g. stroke/dementia

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10
Q

Which type of epilepsy is more common in a) childhood and infancy? b) old age?

A

a) generalised b) focal

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11
Q

Epilepsy has a high morbidity and an increased yearly risk of mortality due to events such as what?

A

Aspiration, cardiac problems, slowing of brainwaves until they stop altogether

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12
Q

What are some risk factors for epilepsy related deaths?

A

Not taking anti-convulsant medication, drugs/alcohol, not having a bed partner

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13
Q

Focal structural brain lesions are most likely to produce what type of seizures?

A

Focal onset seizures

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14
Q

What are the two major subtypes of epilepsy?

A

Focal and generalised

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15
Q

In focal epilepsy, what causes the irritation predisposing to seizures?

A

A structural abnormality in one part of the brain

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16
Q

Generally speaking, what do focal seizures cause?

A

Focal signs

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17
Q

What are secondary generalised seizures?

A

A focal seizure hits pathways in the brain causing it to spread through the cortex and cause a generalised seizure

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18
Q

Where is the abnormality that causes primary generalised seizures?

A

In the cortical networks

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19
Q

Does a structural abnormality have to be present for a primary generalised seizure to occur?

A

No

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20
Q

What type of seizures will generalised epilepsy cause?

A

Always cause primary generalised seizures

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21
Q

Focal epileptic seizures can be further divided into what two subtypes?

A

Simple or complex

22
Q

What happens in a simple focal seizure?

A

The individual will not lose consciousness

23
Q

What happens in a complex focal seizure?

A

The individual will lose consciousness

24
Q

What is the pre-ictal stage of a seizure?

A

A prodrome lasting a few hours-days which can cause e.g. dizziness or mood change (irritability)

25
Q

What is the post-ictal stage of a seizure?

A

The period after the seizure ends which may cause drowsiness, confusion, headache, myalgia

26
Q

Is a seizure aura classified as pre-ictal, ictal or post-ictal?

A

Ictal

27
Q

What is a seizure aura?

A

A stereotyped abnormal sensation or perception that is experienced before more overt clinical features of a seizure e.g. loss of consciousness

28
Q

An epilepsy aura is actually what type of seizure?

A

Focal aware seizure (i.e. simple partial seizure)

29
Q

Name some examples of types of generalised seizure?

A

Absence, atonic, myoclonic, tonic-clonic

30
Q

Will an absence seizure have a warning?

A

No

31
Q

What will happen in an absence seizure?

A

The person will stop whatever they are doing and stare blankly into space while blinking (myoclonic jerks may also occur)

32
Q

What will happen after an absence seizure?

A

The person will immediately return to their previous activity with no residual symptoms

33
Q

Absence seizures are most common in who?

A

Younger people, mostly aged < 10

34
Q

Absence seizures are a common type of what kind of epilepsy?

A

Generalised idiopathic epilepsy

35
Q

What happens in a myoclonic seizure?

A

Myoclonic movements, most likely affecting muscles of the upper limb and head

36
Q

What happens in an atonic seizure?

A

A sudden loss of muscle tone causing the patient to fall to the ground (usually with no LoC)

37
Q

People having an atonic seizure will most likely fall in what direction?

A

Forwards

38
Q

What pre-ictal symptoms might someone have before a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

Dizziness or irritability

39
Q

How will a tonic-clonic seizure begin?

A

Patients will lose consciousness and fall to the ground

40
Q

Describe the tonic phase of a tonic clonic seizure?

A

Limbs will stiffen and go rigid, there may be generalised muscle spasms

41
Q

In the tonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure, will the arms usually be flexed or extended?

A

Extended

42
Q

What usually happens to the breathing in the tonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

It stops

43
Q

Describe the clonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

Arms, legs and jaw rhythmically contract and relax causing repetitive muscle jerks

44
Q

Describe the pattern of shaking movements in a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

They start small and gets bigger

45
Q

What happens to the persons skin in the clonic phase of a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

Goes grey

46
Q

Describe the post-ictal symptoms of a tonic-clonc seizure?

A

Drowsiness and confusion

47
Q

It is rare for tonic-clonic seizures to occur when?

A

At night

48
Q

People having a tonic-clonic seizure tend to fall in which direction?

A

Backwards

49
Q

How long does each stage of a tonic-clonic seizure usually last? a) tonic b) clonic c) post-ictal

A

a) 5-20 secs, b) 20-60 secs, c) hours

50
Q

What happens to the person’s breathing after a tonic-clonic seizure?

A

Will be stopped for a while and then noisy breathing will return quickly

51
Q

What happens if a person has a partial somatosensory seizure?

A

They will not be able to describe the feeling since it has resulted from abnormal activity which they have never experienced before

52
Q

What happens if a person has a partial seizure affecting memory?

A

They will get abnormal memories which are kind of familial but not completely

Neurology- Clinical (31 decks)

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