1. Seizure Recognition & Response
SELF INTRODUCTION:
Name
Title
Say:
“This presentation is provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN), a local non-profit organization that serves the entire state of Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota is an affiliate of the National Epilepsy Foundation. The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) leads the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives.
Objectives:
Identify the most common types of seizures
Define epilepsy and describe possible causes of disorder
Describe appropriate response to seizures
Discuss available treatment options
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2. Epilepsy is not…
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3. Epilepsy is…
A neurological disorder of the brain characterized by the tendency to have reoccurring seizures.
May also be called a seizure disorder.
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4. efmn.org Approximately 2.2 million Americans have epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children and the fourth most common in adults after Alzheimer’s, stroke and migraines
Approximately 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime and 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy
Over 60,000 people in our service area
The largest groups of people affected with epilepsy are children under 18.
In schools, there is approximately one child in every other classroom with seizures.
The second largest group affected are seniors over the age of 60.
Epilepsy is as prevalent as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Cerebral Palsy combined.
Our statistics are from the Institute of Medicine March 2012
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5. What happens in the brain during a seizure?
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6. What causes epilepsy?
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7. Possible Seizure Triggers
Failure to take medications
Lack of sleep
Stress and/or anxiety
Dehydration
Photosensitivity – strobe lights
Menstrual cycle and/or hormonal changes
Environmental
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8. Seizure Classification
Focal Onset Seizures (partial)
Involves only part of brain
May or may not have change in awareness
Symptoms relate to the part of brain affected
Generalized Seizures
Involves whole brain
Convulsions, staring, muscle spasms and falls
Most common are absence & tonic-clonic
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9. Simple Partial Seizures (focal seizures without change in awareness)
Uncontrollable shaking movements
Sensory seizures
No impairment of consciousness
May be considered an aura
No immediate action is needed other than reassurance and emotional support
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10. Complex Partial Seizures (focal seizures with change in awareness)
Most common seizure type
Unaware of surroundings and unable to respond
Repetitive, purposeless movement
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11. Appropriate Response: Complex Partial Seizure
Stay calm
Track time
Do not restrain
Gently direct away from hazards
Remain with the individual until they have gained full awareness
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12. Absence Seizures (formerly petit mal)
Characterized by brief staring
Starts and ends abruptly
Quickly returns to complete awareness
Appropriate response includes documentation
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13. Generalized Tonic-Clonic (formerly grand mal)
Not the most common seizure type
Completely unconscious; loss of control
May cry out or make noise
May have irregular breathing
Lasts 5 minutes or less
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14. Turn on side to prevent choking * Track time
Stay calm
Protect their head
Turn on side to prevent choking *
Track time
Check for Seizure Disorder ID
Move objects out of the way
* Do NOT put anything in the person’s mouth.
May add:
put something soft, like a pillow, jacket or place your hands underneath their head
loosen tight clothing and remove eyeglasses
do not restrain the person as that may cause damage to muscles, ligaments or bones
clear the area of objects which could injure the person during a seizure.
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15. Appropriate Response: Generalized Tonic-Clonic
Remain with person until they have regained full awareness
If seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, call 911
Recovery period – postictal state (not included in timing of the seizure)
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16. Call 911 if the person… Is injured Has diabetes or is pregnant
Does not resume normal breathing or breathing stops
Has a first-time seizure
Has a seizure in water
Situation escalates
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17. Also call 911 if: STATUS EPILEPTICUS There is more than 5 minutes
of continuous seizure activity OR
Two or more consecutive seizures
(cluster) without complete recovery
Say:
“A seizure is also an emergency if the person goes into Status:
Status is defined as – Read slide
A seizure which lasts five minutes or more may be dangerous. Likewise, repeated seizures which appear to be out of control are a sign of something wrong, or an indication the patient needs additional medical assessment.
Because a person having a convulsive seizure is either experiencing very impaired breathing, or not breathing at all, a prolonged seizure can result in brain damage and/or death.
It is important to emphasize the need to call 911 or an ambulance if a generalized tonic clonic seizure lasts five minutes or more, or if seizures are clustered or repeated.
A thorough medical examination is appropriate after a first generalized tonic clonic seizure or a seizure not typical for that individual.”
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18. Rescue Medications
Used in emergency situations to stop a seizure that will not stop on its own
State/school district regulations often govern use in school
There are various emergency medications available
It can be administered a few different ways
rectal
buccal
nasal
Here is a list of some emergency medications
Diazapam- Valium, Diastat
Lorazepam- Ativan
Clonazepam- Klonopin
Midazolam-Versed
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19. Treatment Options Medication Brain surgery Medical Devices Diet
Social and psychological support
Say:
“There are many treatment options available for people with seizures. Sometimes, people can be controlled and seizure free with medications. Some may be candidates for surgery, special diets or medical devices.
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20. Medications Often the first line of treatment
Approximately 75% of people achieve seizure control.
There are over 30 anti-seizure medications.
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21. Common Medication Side Effects
Lethargy
Weight gain and/or weight loss
Cognitive, concentration, memory difficulties
Hyperactivity
Emotional and/or behavioral changes
May go away after first several weeks
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22. Brain Surgery Options efmn.org Lobectomy Partial seizures
Hope for result of seizure-free
Corpus Callosotomy
Generalized seizures
Never seizure free, less frequent/intense seizures
Visualase
MRI-guided laser ablation of tumors and tubers
Minimally invasive
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23. Medical Device Options
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24. Medical Device Options
RNS (NeuroPace)
Responsive Neurostimulator System
Need to know localization of epileptic brain tissue
Remote monitor
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25. Special Diets
There are various diets that may used in conjunction with other epilepsy therapies.
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26. Seizure Assist Dogs Help people during and after and a seizure
Trained for a variety of assistance tasks
May wear a backpack with helpful information
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27. Medical Cannabis- 4 Steps
Receive certification from physician
Enroll in registry program
After registry verification, eligible to receive at distribution facilities
Patients must agree to continue treatment and provide ongoing reports
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28. Social and Psychological Support
Up to 50-60% of patients with epilepsy have various mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Important to include treatment options that treat the whole person
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29. Safety Issues with Epilepsy
At home and work
Seizure alert monitors
SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)
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30. Possible Impact of Epilepsy
Financial constraints
Personal and work relationships
Driving and transportation
Learning and school performance
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31. Seizure first aid at your fingertips.
1 in 10 people will have a seizure
in their lifetime.
Download “SEIZURE FIRST AIDE”
Your behavior during a seizure episode can make a substantial difference in how students react and how the students with seizures copes with the situation
By reassuring other students that you know what to do and that everything will be alright, they will remain calm during seizure episodes.
Promptly address teasing behaviors and help educate other students about epilepsy
Each teacher should receive a seizure action plan or some type of detailed instructions about how to manage seizures in the classroom
Show Seizure Action Plan and explain the document should include the student’s seizure type, frequency of seizures, emergency contact information, basic first aid and emergency response protocol
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32. The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota envisions a world where people with seizures realize their full potential.
Epilepsy-Foundation Minnesota
@EpilepsyMN
efmn.org |
Share contact information, statewide services and #.
May also add:
EFMN offers in classroom school presentations in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with seizures.
Sharing with kids about what seizures are, and how they can help, has increased the self esteem and confidence of children living with epilepsy.
EFMN offers a week-long residential camp, each year, 3rd week in June for children and teens with epilepsy. Camp Oz. Doctors and nurses are on staff 24 hours a day. Children get to participate in all camp activities, including swimming and high ropes.
We have a webpage, where we announce all the events and upcoming programs that we offer and that contains resources and educational materials. Sign up for our blog for updates and exclusive content.
The Epilepsy Foundation of MN is an affiliate of a National Epilepsy Foundation, this is their webpage, where you can buy videos, books and other brochures.
SHOW VIDEO
Conclusion:
epilepsy is a comprehensive disorder and taking the time to understand and gain knowledge on this will help those affected by seizures