Neuro - epilepsy and headache

Question 1

What is a focal awareness seizure?

Answer 1

. Short episodes of sensory or motor changes are pathognomonic of focal seizures. In this case, the patient is young enough for a new diagnosis of epilepsy. She also has risk factors as she had a febrile convulsion as a child and no symptoms apart from the change in smell.

Question 2

What are features of focal seizures?

Answer 2

Question 3

What are the rules on driving following a first seizure?

Answer 3

Patients cannot drive for 6 months following a first unprovoked or isolated seizure if brain imaging and EEG normal

Question 4

How do you treat cluster headache?

Answer 4

Cluster headache - acute treatment: subcutaneous sumatriptan + 100% O2

Question 5

How are different headaches treated?

Answer 5

Question 6

How is migraine treated?

Answer 6

Question 7

What epilepsy drugs are safest in pregnancy?

Answer 7

Lamotrigine (brand name Lamictal) and levetiracetam (brand name Keppra) are safer to use during pregnancy than other epilepsy medicines. Information shows that they do not increase the risk of physical birth abnormalities compared with the general population