Seizure Disorders Flashcards
Types of neurological disorders
- Vascular disorders
- Cancer
- Infectious disease:
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Demyelinating disorders
- Metabolic/toxic disorders
- Synaptic disorders
- Seizure disorders
What is a seizure?
a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain
What is epilepsy?
When an individual two or more seizures within a certain period of time
How long do seizures last?
30 seconds to two minutes
What are seizure treatments?
most seizure disorders can be controlled with medication
How many people have epilepsy?
1.2% of the US population
What are health problems that can arise because of seizures?
A) Cognitive disabilities
B) Psychiatric issues
C) Autism
D) Behavior problems
E) Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
F) Diabetes, obesity
What was the epilepsy patient story by Dr. Rosen
He had a women come in with scars on her back. She had seizures and people thought she was possessed so they hit her with sticks.
What is used to diagnose epilepsy and seizures?
electroencephalogram (EEG)
What are the classifications of seizures?
- partial/focal
- generalized (begin widespread regions)
- unknown onset
What are the subdivisions of partial?
- simple (conscious)
- complex (loss of consciousness and memory)
What are causes of partial seizures?
Often unknown but can be because of head injury, brain infection, stroke, tumor
Can partial seizures evolve into general seizures?
Yes a focal seizure can later spread and generalize
What distinguishes generalized seizures from partial seizures?
They begin with a widespread electrical discharge that involves both sides of the brain at once
What are the subclassifications of generalized seizures?
- Absence seizures
- Myoclonic seizures (sudden jerks)
- Atonic seizures (falls)
- Tonic-clonic seizures (stiffening followed by jerking)
