Seizures & Epilepsy Flashcards
define a seizure
clinical manifestation of abnormal and excessive excitation and synchronization of population of cortical neurons
the event
define epilepsy
> 2 seizures unprovoked by systemic or acute neurologic insults
the disease itself
Epilepsy
essentials of dx
3
- recurrent unprovoked seizures
- characteristic EEG changes accompany seizures
- mental status abnormalities or focal neurologic sx
describe a generalized seizure
electrical disruption involves entire brain
Focal Seizure
describe
restricted to one part of the cerebral hemisphere
Focal Seizure
components
4
- motor (clonic jerking)
- nonmotor (sensory sx, behavioral arrest, cognitive sx)
- Can spread or march
- Can evolve to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures
Focal Seizure
examples of associated sensory loss
5
- paresthesia/tingling
- gustatory
- olfactory
- visual
- auditory
Focal Seizure
examples of cognitive sx
3
- speech arrest
- deja vu
- jamais vu
Focal Seizure
example of emotional sx
1
fear
Focal Seizure
example of autonomic sx
4
- epigastric sensations
- sweating
- flushing
- pupillary dilation
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
what type of seizure is this?
generalized
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Describe what this looks like
5
- sudden LOC
- rigidity
- pt falls to ground
- pt is arrested
- clonic phase: convulsions themselves
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
what may occur post-ictally?
5
- HA
- disorientation/confusion
- drowsiness
- nausea
- muscle soreness
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
describe atonic seizures
very brief loss of muscle tone, falls (epileptic drop attacks)
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
first aid for these seizures
(outside of hosp)
- turn on side with face toward ground to maintain airway
- do not put anything in their mouth
- txfr to hospital if: multiple seizures, pregnant, injured, diabetic, or new onset of seizures
Absence Seizures
what type of seizure is this?
generalized
Absence Seizures
describe
4
- lapses in awareness
- absent staring
- begin and end abruptly, brief
- more common in children
Seizure Etiologies
7
- age
- genetic
- structural
- metabolic
- immune
- infectious
- idiopathic
causes of seizures in infancy
3
- prenatal/birth injury
- inborn error of metabolism
- congenital malformation