w4: Seizure Disorders & Epilepsy Flashcards
(124 cards)
Definition of Seizure
sudden disruption in the electrical function of brain
D/T: abnormal excessive discharges of corticol neurons
Definition of Epilepsy
2+ unprovoked seizures more than 24+ hours apart
one unprovoked seizure w/ 60% chance of reoccurence after two unprovoked seizures, within 10 years
Dx of epilepsy syndrome
Epilepsy Syndrome Definition
sizure + abnormal ECG & MRI in a recognizible pattern
age, time of day, triggers, and type of seizure taken into account
Convulsions
involuntary violent spasms of large skeletal muscles of face, arms, neck, legs
Are all convulsions seizures?
Yes
Are all seizures convulsions?
No
Drugs used for seizures should be called ___ and not _____
antiseizure, anticonvulsants
Seizures are caused by the dysregulation of what neurotransmitter?
GABAA
Mechanisms that cause a seizure
- stimulation of CNS excitatory pathways
- inhabition of inhibatory pathways with the CNS
- withdrawal of LT CNS depressants
Which meds need to be tapered due to risk of seizures?
antidepressants
Which medications can cause seizures?
antipsychotic
chloropramzine
clozapine
Causes of Recurrent Seizures in YA
alcohol/drug w/d
brain tumor
idiopathic
illicit drug use
P-TBI
Perinatal insults
Causes of Recurrent Seizures in OA
alcohol/drug withdrawal
brain tumor
cerebrovascular disease (stroke, aneurysm)
CNS degenerative diseases (alzhimers, MS)
MDD
Idiopathic
metabolic d/o
P-TBI
3 Phases of Seizure
preictal
ictus
postictal
Preictal Phase of Seizure
Prodoma
Aura
Prodoma
early clinical manifestations
hours to days before
insomnia, headache, irritability, ill-temper, increased agitation and depression
Aura
focal sizure than generalized tonic-clonic sizure or complex partial seizure
abnormal sensations (taste, smell, visual, auditory experiences), dizziness/numbness, funny feeling
ictus
seizure epiosde
tonic-clonic activity (muscle twitches)
incontinence
Postictal
period following cessation of seizure activity
h/a , confusion, aphasia, memory loss, deep sleep, PARALYSIS
priority during ictus
maintain airway
how long does postictal phase last?
1-2 days
4 Consequences of Seizures
- inc cerebral blood flow
- cerebral oxygen consump inc 60%
- glucose depletion
- accmulation of lactate in brain tissue
Irrversible brian damage occurs after how much time?
after 5 minutes there is irreversible hypoxic brain injury
How are seizures classified?
origin of seizure in the brain (focal/generalized onsent)
degree of awareness during seizure (self, environment)
level of body movement (motor, nonmotor)