EPILEPSY

WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
is a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. The word epilepsy is used when seizures happen repeatedly.

Is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally, a result from abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain or a consequence of brain surgery, epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients Occurs suddenly, without warning. The clinical manifestations range from a major motor convulsion to a brief period of lack of awareness.

often it presents as a convulsion with powerful contractions of the parts of the body. But it can also manifest as a sudden brief change in thinking, attention, sensation or behavior. becomes more common as people age and is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication

CAUSES OF EPILEPSY

SYMPTO MS
Symptoms of seizure can be motor, psychic and sensory. MOTOR symptoms: involuntary muscle contractions of one body part (face, finger, hand, or arm) SENSORY symptoms: are auditory or visual hallucinations, paresthesias and vertigo PSYCHIC symptoms: sensation of deja vu, complex hallucinations or illusions, unwarranted anger or fear, pupillary dilation and sweating.

Someone may have an aura before a seizure. An aura could include patting body parts, smacking lips, aimless walking, picking at clothes, unintelligible muttering and staggering gait. The person before seizure may have 1 to 2 minutes of loss of contact with surroundings, hallucinations.

ETIOLOGY
Epilepsy is very often but not always the result of underlying brain disease. Some of the common causes of epilepsy are: Head Injury Brain Infections Strokes Brain Tumors Drugs, Alcohol Chemical Imbalances in the Body Genetic/Hereditary predisposition

CLASSIFICATION OF EPILEPSY
The modern classification of the epilepsies is based upon the nature of the seizures rather than the presence or absence of an underlying cause Focal seizures account for 80% of adult epilepsies a) Simple partial seizures b) Complex partial seizures c) Partial seizures secondarilly generalised

GENERALIZED SEIZURES

Generalized seizures are a result of abnormal neuronal activity on both sides of the brain. These seizures may cause loss of consciousness, falls, or massive muscle spasms.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
The following should be considered in the diff. dg. of epilepsy: Syncope attacks : when patient is standing; results from global reduction of cerebral blood flow;nausea, sweating. Hypoglycemia seizures or intermittent behavioral disturbances may occur. Narcolepsy inappropriate sudden sleep episodes Panic attacks PSEUDOSEIZURES psychosomatic and personality disorders.

TREATMENT
Anticonvulsant medications. The most common drugs used in clinical practice are: Carbamazepine, Sodium valproate, Phenytoin.

SEIZURE/EPIL EPSY FIRST AID

IN AN EPISODE: [TONICCLONIC SEIZURES]

oThe person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. oThis is followed by jerking movements. oA blue tinge around the mouth is likely. This is due to irregular

DO

Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby) Cushion their head Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the seizure has finished (see pictures)

DONT
Restrain the persons movements Put anything in the persons mouth Try to move them unless they are in danger Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered

You know it is the persons first seizure The seizure continues for more than five minutes One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures The person is injured during the seizure You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

CALL AN AMBULANCE IF

IN AN EPISODE: [FOCALPARTIAL SEIZURE]

Sometimes the person is not aware of their surroundings or what they are doing. They may pluck at their clothes, smack their lips, swallow repeatedly, and wander around.

DO
Guide the person from danger Stay with the person until recovery is complete Be calmly reassuring Explain anything that they may have missed

DONT
Restrain the person Act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them Assume the person is aware of what is happening, or what has happened Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered Attempt to bring them round

CALL AN AMBULANCE IF
You know it is the person's first seizure The seizure continues for more than five minutes The person is injured during the seizure You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

This presentation was prepared for you by:

Abbaszadehhesr, armin Bayat, maliheh Gheibi, mahdi Kouhsary, aliasghar Sabetrasekh, sepehr