Overview of fits and epilepsy Flashcards
what is a seizure?
the clinical manifestation of abnormal and excessive synchronised discharge of a set of cerebral neurons
what are the main 5 things to gather information on in a detailed seizure history?
- previous risk factors
- circumstances around the seizure
- the prodrome
- the witness accounts
- recovery period
when is a seizure likely to not self terminate?
If it continues for over 5 minutes
what is a continuous seizure called?
Status Epilepticus
what is the problem if a seizure goes on for
a; 5 minutes
b; 30 minutes
?
5- most likely to not stop itself
30- risk of brain damage.
what are the three categories for seizures?
Focal
Generalised
Unknown onset
what are examples of generalised seizures?
Tonic cloning tonic atonic myoclonic clonic- tonic - typical absence
what is a myoclonic seizure?
A very brief seizure, almost like a sudden jerk
what is an atonic seizure?
The patient looses all muscle tone leaving them at risk of head injuries if they fall
what do the signs of a focal seizure depend on?
where abouts in the brain it started
what are some possible causes of provoked seizures?
- metabolic
- infection
- trauma
- neoplasm
- drugs
what is epilepsy?
A disorder of the brain characterised by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychosocial and social consequences of the condition
defined by any of these conditions:
- at least two unprovoked seuzures occurring more than 24hrs apart
- one unprovoked seizure and a probability of further seizures similar to the general recurrence risk
- diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome
what are the hallmarks of an epileptic seizure?
Normally self limiting
massive inter-individual variation
little intraindividual variation
what are alpha waves in an EEG?
when they are awake but eyes closed
what is the protocol for stopping a seizure?
ABC
Benzodiazepine
2nd line: valproate, phenytoin
