Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders Emily Sterling

What is a Seizure? Electrical activity in the brain Seizures are not a disease in themselves, but are symptoms of many disorders Nature of seizures varies, as each lobe of the brain controls different actions

Types of Seizures Generalized (local) seizures: Produced by electrical impulses throughout entire brain Most common: grand-mal seizure Partial (focal) seizures: Produced by electrical impulses from a small part of brain

Generalized Seizures (produced by entire brain)

Partial Seizures (produced by small area of the brain) Partial:Symptoms: Simple (awareness retained) a.Simple Motor b.Simple Sensory c.Simple Psychological a.Jerking, muscle rigidity, spasms, head-turning b.Unusual sensations affecting senses c.Memory/emotional disturbances Complex (impairment of awareness) Lip smacking, chewing, fidgeting, walking, repetitive (involuntary but coordinate) movements Partial seizure w/ secondary generalization Symptoms initially associated with reservation of consciousness, evolves into loss of consciousness and convulsions

What Can Cause Seizures? Alcohol withdrawal Bites/stings Brain infections (meningitis) Brain injury Brain defect present at birth Choking Drug Abuse Drug withdrawals Electrolyte imbalance Electric shock Epilepsy Extremely high/low blood pressure Fever Head trauma Kidney/liver failure Low blood sugar Poisoning Stroke

Can Seizures Be Prevented? Epilepsy cannot be fully prevented Seizures associated with epilepsy can be Medications Handle the triggers of seizures Avoid drugs and alcohol

Who Gets Seizures? Epilepsy/Seizures can develop in any person at any age More common in young children and older people New cases most common among children’s first year of life 1/26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime Rate of new cases drops until age 10, then becomes stable After age 55, rate of new cases starts to increase Health conditions, age, and race may make developing epilepsy more likely 4 th most common neurological condition Affects more than 65 million people worldwide.

First Aid for a Seizure Victim 1.Care and Comfort: general first aid for ALL seizures types to keep the individual safe 2.Tailoring First Aid: specific steps for different seizure types 3.Responding to Seizures: A.As-needed medicine (Rectal Valium)

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