Human disease L16: Neurology 3 Epilepsy Flashcards
excessive electrical discharge from the brain results in which condition
Epilepsy
clinical features of epilepsy are known as seizures, there are two types of seizures, what are the two types of seizures and what part of the body do these seizures affect.
focal (partial) seizures - presentation depends on part of the brain affected
generalised seizures - whole brain affected -> whole body presentation
someone having a epileptic seizure, where clinical features show them having hallucinations then followed by odd behaviour such as lip smacking, odd posture and staring, would indicate that there is excessive electrical discharge in which lobe.
temporal lobe
if there is a sudden loss of consciousness when someone is having a seizure, would that be a generalised or partial seizure
generalised seizure.
what occurs during the tonic phase, during a seizure
clinical features would show the patient becoming suddenly unconscious, the patient would become very rigid, and would become cyanotic (stop breathing).
how long does the tonic phase last for
usually less than a minute
after the tonic phase has subsided what are the clinical features of someone having a seizure
there are jerking movements of the limbs; the tongue may be bitten this is known as the clonic phase
clonic = rhytrhmical jerking
……………………state is the altered state of consciousness after an epileptic seizure. It usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, but sometimes longer in the case of larger or more severe seizures, and is characterized by drowsiness, confusion, nausea, hypertension, headache or migraine, and other disorienting symptoms
what state is being referred
the postictal state
which seizure involves a brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They’re more common in children than in adults.
someone having this seizure may look like he or she is staring blankly into space for a few seconds. then there is a quick return to a normal level of alertness
Absence seizure
Phenytoin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. Phenytoin works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Phenytoin is used to control seizures. It does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medicine for you.
what are side effects of phenytoin (dental aspect)
risk of gingival hypertrophy
carbamazepine works by stabilising the electrical activity in the brain and nerves. For epilepsy, carbamazepine works by stopping electrical signals from building up in the nerve cells in the brain.
what is carbamazepine mechanism of action
Carbamazepine is a sodium channel blocker.
during a convulsion (seizure) try to ensure that the patient is not at risk of injury whilst in your dental chair.
how would you manage this and what must you not do regarding the mout?
during a convulsion it is best to remove everything away from the patients such as the dental trays so they dont hurt themselves.
it is imperative that you do not but anything in their mouth or between their teeth.
during a convulsion a patient may become cyanotic, how would you best manage the patient
give oxygen to support respiration
it is important that you do not restrain a patient undergoing convulsive movements, however after the convulsive movements have subsided what should you do to the patient.
place the patient in the recovery position and check the airway
under what conditions can medication be given during a convulsive seizure
when the seizure are prolonged, lasting for 5 minutes or longer.
