Epilepsy and AEDS Flashcards
epilepsy
recurrent seizures caused by disturbance of neuronal activity in brain
repetitive firing of action potentials, may lead to motor convulsions
seizure
abnormal electrical discharge of brain neurons
alteration of behavior and motor
possible impairment, loss of conscious, muscle twitch/convulsion
convulsion
involuntary contraction/spasm of voluntary muscle
EEG (electroencephalogram-diagnostic tool)
records electrical activity of brain
possible causes of seizures
hypoxia, meningitis, fever, head injury, brain tumor, genetics, emotional stress, hypoglycemia, birth defects, drugs
types of epilepsy
generalized seizures
partial seizures
generalized seizure
involves both hemispheres of brain
partial seizure
specific area of brain but may spread and become generalized
types of generalized seizures
gran mal/tonic-clonic
myoclonic
atonic
petit mal/absence
gran mal/tonic-clonic seizures
aura precedes seizure, loss of consciousness, increase in BP and HR, may urinate/deficate self, may bite tongue, may last several minutes
tonic convulsions
stiff, tense, rigid
clonic convulsions
spasms with rigidity and relaxation alternating rapidly
status epilepticus
series of grand mal seizures without cessation (medical emergency)
can lead to brain damage and death
drug of choice for status epilepticus
IV diazepam (VALIUM®) or IV lorazepam (Ativan®)
myoclonic seizures
muscle contractions, brief, one part of body affected, may spread to other parts
atonic seizures
loss of muscle tone, usually results in a fall
petit mal/absence seizures
no aura, brief impairment of consciousness/cloudy memory, staring/rapid blinking, lasts few seconds to a minute
signs of an aura
nausea, odor, visual disturbances/floaters, numbness, dizziness/tingling
types of partial seizures
simple and complex
simple partial seizures
sensory or motor, muscle twitching, limited area of brain, brief, no loss of consciousness
complex partial/psychmotor seizures
loss of consciousness, bizarre/purposeless movements, no memory of seizure, several parts of body, can lead to tonic-clonic
complex partial/psychmotor seizures
loss of consciousness, bizarre/purposeless movements, no memory of seizure, several parts of body, can lead to tonic-clonic
antiepileptics
prevent/reduce occurrence and severity of seizures by decreasing excitability of brain cells
usually given orally
anticonvulsants
stop convulsive seizures, produces sedation
usually IM or IV
