Siezures

Question 1

what are seizures

Answer 1

uncontrolled neuronal activity causing altered behavior & movements

Question 2

seizures are a _______ not a disease

Answer 2

symptom

Question 3

what is epilepsy

Answer 3

RECCURENT unprovoked seizures (chronic)

Question 4

Etiology of seizure primary and secondary

Answer 4

Unprovoked (primary):
-idiopathic (approx 2/3), possible genetic component

Provoked (secondary):-precipitated by an underlying cause

• CNS insult (in brain)
• Febrile (especially in kids, fever triggers)
• metabolic: -hypoglycemia, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalance (disrupts membrane potential can trigger seizures)

Question 5

Classification of Siezures

Answer 5

1 Focal seizures

2 generalized siezures

Question 6

focal seizures (sometimes called partial seizures)

Answer 6

• origin in 1 hemisphere – few neurons

- 2 subgroups: involve loss of consciousness (complex partial), no loss of consciousness (simple partial)

Question 7

generalized siezures

Answer 7

• origin in both hemispheres

- several subtypes

Question 8

2 subgroups of focal siezures

Answer 8

complex partial - involve loss of consciousness

simple partial -no loss of consciousness

Question 9

Patho of seizures

Answer 9

• epileptogenic focus in cerebral cortex & hippocampus triggered
• increased discharge (amplitude & frequency) — spreads to adjoining areas
• normal inhibition overwhelmed causing abnormal movement & behavior
• discharge ultimately controlled
• before seizure ends: intermittent contraction-relaxation phase
• CNS depressed following intermittent contraction relaxation phase

Question 10

post ictal phase

Answer 10

after seizure

Question 11

status epileptics

Answer 11

prolonged seizure, damage only occurs if seizure is prolonged

Question 12

diagnosing seizures

Answer 12

• history
• neuro exam
• labs, scans, EEG (electorencophaleogram -test used to detect abnormalities related to electrical activity of the brain)

Question 13

treatment of siezures

Answer 13

-during seizure: protect form injury
-stat after: pressure brain function
-later: -underlying cause
-anticonvulsant drugs (taken to prevent)
-sx (if surgically correctable cause)
-

Question 14

how does the patho of seizures start

Answer 14

-epileptogenic focus in cerebral cortex & hippocampus triggered

Question 15

when there is a seizure brain activity increase and then requires more

Answer 15

when brain activity increases requires more ATP increase in 02 and glucose required if not available inadequate perfusion to brain causing hypoxia and lactic acidosis causing brain damage

Question 16

brain is dependent exclusively on

Answer 16

02 and glucose, brain does not to anaerobic metabolism

Question 17

how is lactic acid causing metabolic acidosis in brain

Answer 17

• lactic acid from skeletal muscles (d/t not being oxygenated) enters circulation causing lactic acidosis