Seizures COPIED Flashcards
Seizures definition
episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that cause involuntary movements, sensations, or thoughts.
non-epileptic causes of seizures
- head trauma (sub-dural haematomas)
- stroke
- brain tumours
- hypoxia
- hypoglycaemia
- fever
- chronic alcohol withdrawal
- infections (sepsis, pneumonia)
Partial (focal) seizure.
Two types.
originates in one cerebral hemisphere.
Patient DOESN’T loss consciousness.
(a) Simple partial seizure; conscious not altered.
(b) complex partial seizure - altered consciousness and px exhibits repetitive behaviours.
generalized seizure
BOTH cerebral hemispheres.
LOSS of CONSCIOUSNESS
what can preceed a seizure?
a sensation or mood change
what are the type main types of generalized seizures?
(a) tonic-clonic (grand mal)
(b) absence (petit mal)
Clonic definition
Fast stiffening and relaxing of a muscle that happens repeatedly.
Repeated jerking.
The movements cannot be stopped by restraining or repositioning the arms or legs.
tonic
stiffening of all the muscles. back aches. person loses conscious and falls to the floor.
Myoclonic seizures
brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles.
can be quite normal (eg. when falling asleep)
What kind of seizure activities are there?
- motor
- sensory
- cognitive and psychic
- autonomic disturbances
What is status epilepticus?
recurrent episodes of tonic-clonic seizures without regaining consciousness or normal muscle movement between episodes.
Seizures definition
episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that cause involuntary movements, sensations, or thoughts.
non-epileptic causes of seizures
- head trauma
- stroke
- brain tumours
- hypoxia
- hypoglycaemia
- fever
- chronic alcohol withdrawal
Partial (focal) seizure.
Two types.
originates in one cerebral hemisphere.
Patient DOESN’T loss consciousness.
(a) Simple partial seizure; conscious not altered.
(b) complex partial seizure - altered consciousness and px exhibits repetitive behaviours.
generalized seizure
BOTH cerebral hemispheres.
LOSS of CONSCIOUSNESS
