“FIRST DO NO HARM”

Brain Anatomy  Brain disorder  Repeated spontaneous seizures (fits, convulsions)  Abnormal electrical signals in the brain

 Different types of seizures  Staring spells  Loss of consciousness  Violent convulsions

 Exposure to drugs  High fever  Abnormal levels of glucose or sodium  Idiopathic (cause can’t be identified)  Stroke  Tumor  Brain Infection

 Neurologic Exam (may be normal)  EEG (test for electrical activity in brain)  CT or MRI of brain  Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

 lumbar puncture lumbar puncture  Brain MRI Brain MRI  CT scan of brain CT scan of brain  EEG EEG

EEG CAPEEG TRACING

Medicine  Anticonvulsant medication  Medicine type depends on type of seizures  Dosage has to be adjusted at times  Medicine may have to change at times  Monitor for side effects  Phenobarbital  Dilantin  Tegretol

 Surgery to remove abnormal brain cells  Vagal nerve stimulator (in chest)  *Ketogenic diet

 High Fat, Low Carbohydrate (Starch and sugar)  Liver converts fats into ketones  Ketones replaces glucose in brain for energy  Effective in1/2 of patients

 Some types of childhood epilepsy may improve or go away with age  Some may stop their medication after no seizures for several years  Death or permanent brain damage is rare  Serious injury may occur if driving  If infrequent seizures, no severe lifestyle restrictions