Epilepsy
Epilepsy : seizure disorder characterized by sudden transient aberration of brain function; associated with motor, sensory, automatic, or psychic disturbances.
A. Seizure : involuntary muscular contraction and disturbances of consciousness from abnormal electrical activity.
B. Risk Factor
1. Brain Injury
2. Infection (meningitis, encephalitis).
3. Water and electrolyte disturbances.
4. Hypoglycemia
5. Tumors
6. Vascular disorders (hypoxia or hypocapnia)
C. Generalized Seizures :
1. Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures :
increased excitability of a neuron, possible activation of adjacent neurons, synchronous discharge of impulses, vigorous involuntary sustained muscle spasm (Tonic contractions). Onset of neural fatigue, intermittent muscle spasm (clonic contraction) cessation of muscle spasms, fatigue.
2. Absence (Petit mal) seizures :
unknown etiology, momentary loss of consciousness (10-20 second) usually no recollection of seizures; resumes previously performed action.
3. Minor Motor seizures
a. Myoclonic : involuntary jerking contraction of major muscles; may throw person to the floor.
b. Akinetic : momentary loss of muscle movement.
c. Atonic : total loss for muscle tone; person falls to the floor.
D. Partial (Focal) seizures :
1. Partial motor : arises from region in motor cortex (posterior frontal lobe .
2. Partial sensory : sensory symptoms occur with partial seizures activity; varices with region in brain; transient.
3. Partial complex (psychomotor) : arises out of anterior temporal lobe; frequently begins with an aura; characteristic feature is automatism (lip smacking, chewing, patting body, picking at clothes); lasts from 2-3 minutes to 15 minutes do not restrain.
