A sudden, uncontrolled electrical
disturbance in the brain, causing
changes in: behavior, movements, or
feelings & in levels of consciousness.
Due to an abnormal, excessive, hypersynchronous discharge of a
population of cortical neurons. (30 seconds to 2 minutes)
pathology
Epilepsy
A disorder characterized by
1)recurrent seizures 2)unprovoked
by an acute insult.
classifications
Investigations
EEG--- Blood glucose--- CBC--- Electrolyte
panel Toxicology----screen Head CT
Seizures vs Epilepsy
What causes a seizure?
decrease in inhibitory NT OR increase excitatory NT or its receptors
causes in children
causes in both
metabolic disorders causing seizures
pharmacological treatment
Convulsions
An abnormal, sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of the
muscles most typically seen during seizures
Also, not all convulsions are due to seizures.
Phases of a seizure
Aura stage
Ictus Stage
Postictal Stage
continuous seizures occurring for longer than 30 minutes.
epidemiology
Approximately 50 million people currently live with epilepsy worldwide. The
estimated proportion of the general population with active epilepsy (i.e. continuing
seizures or with the need for treatment) at a given time is between 4 and 10 per 1000
people. However, some studies in low- and middle-income countries suggest that the
proportion is much higher, between 7 and 14 per 1000 people.
Globally, an estimated 2.4 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year. In
high-income countries, annual new cases are between 30 and 50 per 100 000 people in the
general population. In low- and middle-income countries, this figure can be up to two times
higher.
Signs & Symptoms
Short attention blackouts, dazed behavior, memory gaps,
mumbling or no response
Sudden falls, frequent stumbling or unusual clumsiness