SEIZURES by

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:16:28 UTC

Abrupt, abnormal, and uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons within the brain that cause alterations in the LOC and/or changes in motor & sensory ability and/or behavior

Generalized Seizures:

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:20:42 UTC

Involve both cerebral hemisphere. Can begin with auras (alteration in vision, smell, hearing, etc.) There are 5 Types:

Tonic-Clonic

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:27:01 UTC

Begins with a stiff episode (tonic) and loss of consciousness.
Followed by a clonic episode (jerking of extremities)
Incontinence can happen
Breathing can stop during tonic phase & become irregular in clonic phase.
Biting of tongue and cheeks can happen in clonic phase
In postictal phase, confusion and sleepiness can follow the seizure

Tonic

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:30:51 UTC

Sudden loss of consciousness with an increased muscle tone, and autonomic manifestations (arrhythmia, apnea, vomiting, incontinence, & salivation).
Generally last <30 seconds but can last minutes.

Clonic

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:33:01 UTC

Lasts several mins.
Muscles contract & relax (jerking movement)

Myoclonic

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-07 21:35:15 UTC

Brief jerking or stiffening of extremities, can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Lasts for seconds

Partial or focal/local seizures:

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:22:39 UTC

Involves only one cerebral hemisphere
Clients can experience
two types:

Complex partial:

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:28:33 UTC

Have associated automatisms (behaviors client is unaware of)
Can cause loss of consciousness or black out for several mins
Amnesia commonly occurs before and after seizure

Simple partial

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:31:42 UTC

consciousness is maintained
manifestations- unusual sensations, deja vu, changes in HR, flushed skin, abnormal unilateral extremity movement, pain, bad smell

Labs & Procedures

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:41:46 UTC

Test: BAC, illicit substance levels, HIV, if suspected then excessive toxins levels.

Procedures: EEG (records electrical activity, finds origin)
MRI, CT, PET, CSF analysis, skull x-ray

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:44:28 UTC

Status Epilepticus

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:50:17 UTC

Repeated seizure activity within a 30-min time frame or a single prolonged seizure lasting >5 min
Effects of this: decreased o2, inability for brain to return to normal function, damaging neuron tissue,
Requires immediate EMERGENCY TREATMENT
Usual Causes are substance withdrawal, sudden AED withdrawal, cerebral edema, infection, metabolic disturbances

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:54:04 UTC

rrkennedy28 — 2023-02-08 02:56:13 UTC