TOPIC 7 Flashcards
What is a seizure
- sudden uncontrolled burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain
Temporary changes a seizure can cause
- consciousness
- behvaiour
- movement
- feelings
Types of neurons
Glutamate (excitatory)
GABA (inhibitory)
Main 2 causes of a seizure
Illness or Epilepsy
What are some causes of seizures due to illnesses
- fever
- infection to CNS
- acid-base imbalance
- hypoxia
- brain tumour
What are some causes of seizures due to Epilepsy
- cerebrovascular disease/stroke
- congenital factors
- traumatic brain injury
- idiopathic
2 types of seizures
Focal (1 part of the brain)
Generalised (all over the brain)
What is the 1st stage of a seizure
Prodromal
- days before seizure occurs
- depression
- disturbed sleep
- urinary and GIT issues
What is the 2nd stage of a seizure
Aura
- doesn’t happen to everyone
- minutes or seconds before seizure
- altered taste or smell
- deja vu
- dizzy
- difficultly speaking
What is the 3rd stage of a seizure
Ictal (actual seizure)
- Grand-mal
- Petit-mal
- Focal
What is the 4th stage of a seizure
Post-Ictal
- brain recovery stage
- Very tired
- confusion
- headache
- injury
Types of generalised seizures
Grand-mal
- loss of consciousness
- ‘tonic’: body stiffens, bite down, stop breathing
- ‘clonic’: recurrent jerking movements
- incontinence
- 1-3 minutes
- > 5min MET
Petit-mal
- absence staring
- doesn’t respond
- won’t remember
- seconds long
Management during seizure
- Recovery position
- head on pillow
- do NOT restrain
- do NOT put anything in mouth
Post seizure observations and tests
- vitals
- airway and breathing
- neurological assessment
- injury assessment
- blood test
- EEG
