Seizures Flashcards
what kind of event is a seizure?
finite event
what is a seizure a result of?
paroxysmal excessive discharge of cerebral neurons resulting in transient impairment or LOC
what are seizures caused by?
different underlying physiologic state - no single brain lesion causes them
what is epilepsy?
chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures
when is one diagnosed with epilepsy?
individual suffers from more than one non-febrile seizure
what can be a significant problem for epilepsy?
anxiety
what is used for management of epilepsy?
medical management
what is partial seizure syndrome characterized by?
locus of onset - temporal, frontal, parietal or occipital - focal onset
what is the most frequent and severe form of epilepsy for adults?
partial seizures
simple partial seizures: (3 characteristics)
- consciousness preserved
- unilateral hemisphere involvement
- may manifest as focal
what are the motor symptoms of simple partial seizures
jerking, twitching
what are the somatosensory symptoms of simple partial seizures
paresthesias, tingling, light flashes, buzzing, abnormal sensation of taste/smell
what are the autonomic symptoms of simple partial seizures
nausea, pallor, flushing, pupillary dilation
what are the cognitive and affective symptoms of simple partial seizures
illusions, hallucinations, sudden fear
what are complex partial seizures associated with?
alteration or LOC
what kind of involvement does complex partial seizures have?
bilateral hemispheric involvement
how do people having a complex partial seizures present?
appears dazed and confused with random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothes
what are present with complex partial seizures?
automatic behaviors but individual cannot recall these actions
what are partial seizure secondarily generalized ?
generalized tonic-clonic seizure that develops from either a simple partial or complex partial seizure - convulsive manifestations
what is a generalized seizure?
localized onset is NOT evident - not one particular part of the brain - diffuse EEG abnormalities
what are teh 6 types of generalized seizures?
- generalized absence seizures
- atypical absence seizures
- myoclonic seizures
- atonic seizures
- tonic-clonic seizures
- status epilepticus
what is another name for generalized absence seizures?
petit mal
what are some characteristics of generalized absence seizures? (consciousness, convulsion, onset, aura, awareness)
- sudden cessation of ongoing conscious activity
- minor convulsive - loss of of postural control
- onset/end abrupt and brief
- no preceding aura
- individual is unaware of seizure activity
is there brain damage with generalized absence seizures?
no
what kind of seizures are frequent in children and disappear in adolescence?
generalized absence seizures
what are the characteristics of atypical absence seizures? (2)
- similar to generalize absence seizures
2. co-exist with other forms of generalized seizures
what are the characteristics of myoclonic seizures?
sudden, brief, single or repetitive muscle contractions involving one body part or the entire body
what are the characteristics of atonic seziures?
- brief LOC and postural tone NOT associated with tonic muscular contractions
- Loss of tone
what is another name for tonic-clonic seizures
grand mal
what are some characteristics of tonic-clonic seizures (control, consciousness, tone, clonic)
1 total loss of control
- sudden LOC with falls common
- tonic phase with generalized rigidity (10 sec, respiration ceases, and incontinence may occur)
- followed by clonic phase with jerking movements (1-2 minutes)
what do prolonged grand mal seizures lead to?
deep sleep
what do individuals experience following a grand mal seizure
altered speech, transient paralysis/ataxia, HA, dis-orientation, and muscle soreness
which is more common, partial seizures or tonic-clonic seizures?
parital seizures
what are status epilepticus?
generalized seizures (usually tonic-clonic) are so prolonged and repeated that recovery does not occur between attacks
what is status epilepticus?
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
what are frequent causes of status epilepticus in adults?
CNS infection, drug abuse, and tumors
what are frequent causes of status epilepticus in children?
under 3 - febrile seizures
what are some causes of symptomatic seizure activity?
head trauma, intracranial mass, CNS infections, CVA, hypoxia, poison, congenital brain disorders, degeneratie brain disorders
what are events that may trigger a seizure?
stress, poor nutrition, missed medication, skipping meals, flickering lights, illness, fever/allergies, lack of sleep, emotion, heat/humidity
what are some common anticonvulsant medications?
phenytoin (dilantin), benzodiazepines (diazepam - valium, clonazepam -klonopin), gabapentin (neurontin), and keprra
what are some tips for reinforcing medication?
never stop medication abruptly, no alcohol, avoid driving until you know response to drug, several dosage to find right dose to control seizures, and report side effects
what are some side effects of anti-convulsant medications?
excess fatigue/drowsiness, over sedation/agitation/confusion, tremors/weight gain, and dizziness/nausea
what do you do if a patient has seizure?
- prevent or slow fall
- protect patient from environment
- roll patient into SLing
- observe and document (timing, mouth frothing, eye deviation or incontinence)
other PT implications for seizures
build confidence with mobility
evaluation of their environments
leisure recommendations
monitor patients during and after activity
