Seizures Flashcards
What is the definition of seizures?
Episodes of abnormal neurological function caused by abnormal electrical charges in the brain
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain can cause:
- Strange sensations
- Strong emotions
- Convulsions and spasms
- Loss of consciousness
- Unusual behaviours
What is the WHO definition of epilepsy?
A chronic disorder characterised by recurring seizures, diagnosed after two (unprovoked) seizures
What are the causes of seizure?
Epileptic disorders Unknown ideology Underlying disorders - Metabolic disorders - Cerebral tumours - HI - Intracranial infections - Hypo/hyperglycaemia - Hypoxia - Drugs/alcohol - Intracranial haemorrhage - Stroke - Birth trauma - Stress/anxiety - Sleep disorders
Name the points of the acronym AEIOUTIPS
Arrhythmia/alcohol/acidosis Environmental/envenomation/epilepsy Infection Overdose Uraemia (kidney failure) Trauma/toxins Insulin Psychogenic Shock/sepsis
What are the side effects of seizures?
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Confusion
- Double/blurry vision
- Poor coordination/balance
- Unsteady gait
- Nausea
Name the stages of seizure
Beginning, ictal phase, and post-ictal phase
What (generally) happens in the beginning stage of a seizure?
Aura (strange taste or small), though not all pts have an aura
What is the ictal phase?
Period of time from the first symptoms (including the aura) to the end of seizure activity
What is the post-ictal phase?
Recovery phase
Are auras considered part of a seizure?
Yes
True or false: a seizure may start with loss of consciousness or change in awareness
True
What is the term for an aura occurring alone without change in awareness?
Focal seizure
What are some awareness/sensory/emotional/thought changes before a seizure?
- Smells
- Tastes
- Sounds
- Deja vu
- Strange feelings
- Fear/panic
- Vision loss/blur
- Racing thoughts
- Pleasant feelings
What are some physical changes before a seizure?
- Dizzy or light-headed
- Headache
- Nausea or ‘stomach rising’ feeling
- Numbness or tingling
True or false: some physical symptoms may be after-effects and not related to the ictal phase
True
What are some symptoms during a seizure?
Loss of awareness Confused, 'feeling spacey' Forgetfulness/memory lapses Distracted/daydreaming Loss of consciousness Hearing loss/altered auditory sense Vision loss/altered Unusual tastes/smells Visual hallucinations Numbness/tingling/electric shock feelings Out of body sensations Deja vu, jamais vu Body parts feel or look different Panic/fear/impending doom Pleasant feelings Difficulty speaking Unable to swallow/drooling Repeated blinking/movement of eyes/stare Lack of movement or muscle tone Tremors/twitching/jerking movements (may occur in one or more places, may begin in one area then spread, may be whole body) Rigid or tense muscles Automatisms (repeated non-purposeful movements) Repeated purposeful movements (may continue previous activity) Convulsions Incontinence (urine incontinence common) Sweating Pale or flushed Pupil dilation Teeth clenching/biting tongue
How long is the post-ictal phase?
May be immediate, minutes, or hours
Is the post-ictal phase effected by seizure type/affected brain region?
Yes
What are some symptoms that may follow a seizure?
Slow to respond Sleepy Confused Memory loss Difficulty talking or writing Feeling dizzy/light-headed/'fuzzy' Depressed/sad/upset Scared/anxious Frustrated/embarrassed/ashamed Injuries from ictal phase Headache/other pains Nausea Thirst General one-sided weakness Urge to use bathroom/incontinence
What are the two categories of seizure?
Generalised and focal
