Epilepsy Flashcards
How long does “tonic” last in tonic-clonic seizures
10-20 secs
How long does “tonic” last in tonic-clonic seizures
10-20 secs
How long does “clonic” last in tonic-clonic seizures
30 - 90 secs
What happens in “clonic” of Grand Mal seizures?
Everything loosens up. Stop seizing, lose bladder/bowel control. Chomping and foaming
3 stages of grand mal seizures?
Tonic, clonic, post ictal paresis (Todd’s paralysis)
Todd’s Paralysis is where parietal hemiparesis/weakness. It can affect speech and eye movements with no lasting changes and can last for hours)
What’s Todd’s paralysis?
Comes after Tonic-Clonic seizures. Get hemiparesis/weakness, Speech and eye movement issues with no lasting changes. May last hours
What’s status epilepticus
Seizure lasting > 30 mins. Can be on and off or straight. If on and off, no consciousness between.
When should you seek treatment for status epilepticus?
If >5mins
If 2 seizures with no consciousness betwee
Prevent brain damage!
How long does absence seizure last?
5 - 10 seconds
What’s the most common type of seizure
Focal seizure with impairment of consciousness
What’re the general seizures?
Tonic-Clonic Status epilepticus Absence Tonic Clonic Myoclonoic
Where are focal seizures usually and why?
Temporal lobe. Where amygdala is. Emotional changes
Where are sites of focal seizures without impairment of consciousness?
Occiptal - Aura
Motor - Jacksonian march
How long does a focal seizure with impairment of consciousness last?
Signs of focal seizure with impairment of consciousness?
Stare off into distance without responding to you. Might do automatisms (Smacking lips/chewing, snapping and repeating words)
Differentiate absence because lasts longer
Tests for seizures
EEG only funky when during seizure. Can’t rule out if normal
MRI unremarkable
Lab test for toxins and electrolytes
NT causes of seizure?
Increase Glutamate
Decrease in GABA
Na/K pump out of whack
Broad spectrum AEDs?
Valproate, Topamax, Lamotrigine
Absence AEDs?
Ethosuximide
Drug of choice for general seizures?
Valproate
Drug of choice for focal seizures?
Lamotrigine
Side effects of AEDs?
Myopic shift and angle closure (Topamax only), N&V, rash, dyscrasia, decrease efficacy warfarin, birth control, antidepressants
General epilepsy treatment plan?
AEDs
Surgically remove focal areas
Vagus nerve stimulation
Neuropace
Prognosis?
Expected full lifespan
Kids 3-4x more likely to die though
