D.O.D #8 - Seizures

stiffening

twitching/jerking - convulsion

headache, neck stiffness, nausea/vomiting, photophobia (symptoms of epilepsy) (clinical syndrome)

eye discomfort in bright lights

Gran Mal Seizure

a seizure is a single occurrence; epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures; epilepsy is genetic

messages in your brain allow you to think, feel, and move. during a seizure, messages are disrupted in the brain causing electrical overload in all/part of the brain; when too many brain cells become excited at the same time

generalized and partical/focal

brain has abnormal electrical activity on both sides of your brain/body

electrical activity surges in one part of the brain/body

high levels of salt and sugar in the blood (electrolytes), brain injury, genetic brain problems, brain tumor, dementia, high fever, illness, or infections, illegal dugs, withdraw from alcohol or drugs

simple staring spells, violent shaking and loss of consciousness, seeing flashing lights or hallucinations, feel strange sensations (i.e. smell a nonexistent odor), and emotional changes

tests to rule out medical causes (ex. stroke), blood tests, CT or MRI scans, EEG (charts brain activity), spinal tap (needle inserted into spinal canal)

depends on the cause, medication to prevent more seizures, plenty of sleep, keep regular schedule, avoid stress, avoid activities where syncope would be dangerous until seizures are unlikely to occur again

muscle contractions, tonic-clonic movements, emesis, loss of control of bladder/bowels, a blank stare, syncope

generalized seizures

about 30%

by where the abnormal electrical discharge begins