|
Translate this page into Spanish using FreeTranslation.com.  What is a seizure? Surprisingly,few people with epilepsy ask what a seizure actually is.Everything they know about what happens to them during a seizure is based on what they have been told by family memebers and friends who have witnessed their seizures.But more people should ask what happens inside them during a seizure,or what it really means when a person has epilepsy.A better understanding of seizures and the different types of epilepsy will help you become actively involved in treating your epilepsy. While there are over 40 types of seizure, most are classed within 2 main categories: Partial seizures,Generalized seizures 1.Partial seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain is limited to one area. The 2 most common forms are simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. 2.Generalized seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire organ. The 2 most common forms are generalized absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures.There are many more but just to name a few: Tonic-Clonic~ (grand mal or known as the BIG BAD) seizures-In a generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure,the person will usually emit a short cry and fall to the floor. Their muscles will stiffen (tonic phase) and then their extremities will jerk and twitch (clonic phase). Bladder control may be lost. Consciousness is regained slowly. After a seizure, the person may feel fatigue, confusion and disorientation. This may last from 5 minutes to several hours or even days. Rarely, this disorientation may last up to 2 weeks. The person may fall asleep, or gradually become less confused until full consciousness is regained. Myoclonic seizures~ consist or multiple myoclonic jerks.. Myoclonic seizures occur in several different types of childhood epilepsy. They involve abrupt muscle jerks in part or all the body. A hand may suddenly fling out,a shoulder may shrug,a foot may kick,or the entire body may jerk.Myoclonic seizures can occur as a single event or in series. Consciousness and memory are not impaired. A myoclonic seizure may cause a child to spill or drop what his/her is holding or to fall from his/her chair.Myoclonic seizures should NOT be confused with tics or "startle" responses. Absence seizures~ In an absence seizure, epileptic activity occurs throughout the entire brain. It is a milder type of activity which causes unconsciousness without causing convulsions. After the seizure,there is no memory of it.An absence seizure begins abruptly and without warning, consists of a period of unconsciousness with a blank stare,and ends abruptly. There is no confusion after the seizure,and the person can usually resume full activity immediately. An absence seizure may be accompanied by chewing movements,rapid breathing,or rhythmic blinking. Absence seizures are short,usually lasting only 2-10 seconds. They are very mild, and may go unnoticed by parents and teachers. Because absence seizures may recur frequently during the day,a child who experiences them may have difficulty learning if they are not recognized and treated. Complex Partial Seizures (Psychomotor or Temporal Lobe Seizures) A complex partial seizure occurs when epileptic activity spreads to both temporal lobes in the brain. A complex partial seizure often occurs after a simple partial seizure of temporal lobe origin. Complex partial seizures are experienced most by children. In some children,they lead to tonic-clonic seizures. A complex partial seizure does not involve convulsions,but consciousness is impaired. Someone experiencing one will no longer respond to questions after the seizure starts. A complex partial seizure often begins with a blank look or empty stare. They will appear unaware of their surroundings and may seem dazed. The seizure may progress to include chewing movements, uncoordinated activity,or sometimes performing meaningless bits of behaviour which appear random and clumsy. These automatisms may include actions such as picking at their clothes,trying to remove them, walking about aimlessly,picking up things,or mumbling. Someone experiencing a complex partial seizure may become frightened and try to run and struggle. Following the seizure,there will be no memory of it. A complex partial seizure usually lasts about 2 to 4 minutes. It may be followed by a state of confusion lasting longer. Once the pattern of seizures is established,it will usually be repeated with each subsequent seizure. Complex partial seizures sometimes resist anticonvulsant medication. Secondarily Generalized Secondarily generalized seizures are usually partial seizures evolving into generalized seizures,most often with tonic-clonic convulsions. The partial seizures which were once limited to one hemisphere of the brain progress to encompass the entire brain bilaterally,causing a generalized seizure. The clinical nature of a secondarily generalized seizure usually does not differ from that of the initial,originating seizure. Secondarily generalized seizures are predominant in 16% of all children and 9% of all adults with seizure disorders. Most people with complex partial seizures and many with simple partial seizures will experience a secondarily generalized seizure at some point. When they occur frequently,the chances for future partial seizures may be increased. Secondarily generalized seizures occur infrequently and are easily controlled by anti-epileptic medication.
•Cerebrovascular accidents •Metabolic problems •Decreased anticonvulsant medications — the level of the medication in the blood may have fallen too low. (This further shows the importance of taking your medication properly.) Status epilepticus may occur as the first manifestation of a seizure disorder,or it may occur in a person known to have seizures. Status epilepticus is usually treated in hospital, where diazepam (Valium®) or lorazepam (Ativan®) is given intravenously. Phenobarbital is sometimes added intravenously. If your child is prone to status epilepticus,your doctor may teach you to administer diazepam or lorazepam suppositories at home. While it is not believed to cause brain damage,it should be stopped as soon as possible. Sudden Unexplained Death For reasons that are poorly understood, people with epilepsy have an increased risk of dying suddenly for no discernible reason. This condition,called sudden unexplained death,can occur in people without epilepsy, but epilepsy increases the risk about two-fold. Researchers are still unsure why sudden unexplained death occurs. One study suggested that use of more than two anticonvulsant drugs may be a risk factor. However,it is not clear whether the use of multiple drugs causes the sudden death,or whether people who use multiple anticonvulsants have a greater risk of death because they have more severe types of epilepsy. Simple Partial Seizures (Focal Cortical Seizures) Simple partial seizures result from epileptic activity which is localized in one part of the brain,usually the cortex or limbic system. Consciousness is not impaired: people experiencing a simple partial seizure can talk and answer questions. They will remember what went on during the seizure. Simple partial seizures take different forms in different people. They are further classified according to their symptoms: Autonomic Seizures - These seizures are accompanied by autonomic symptoms or signs,such as abdominal discomfort or nausea which may rise into the throat (epigastric rising),stomach pain,the rumbling sounds of gas moving in the intestines (borborygmi),belching,flatulence and vomiting. This has sometimes been referred to as abdominal epilepsy. Other symptoms may include pallor,flushing,sweating,hair standing on end (piloerection),dilation of the pupils,alterations in heart rate and respiration,and urination. A few people may experience sexual arousal,penile erection, and orgasm. Emotional and Other - Simple partial seizures which arise in or near the temporal lobes often take the form of an odd experience. One may see or hear things that are not there. One feels emotions, often fear, but sometimes sadness, anger, or joy. There may be a bad smell or a bad taste, a funny feeling in the pit of the stomach or a choking sensation. These seizures are sometimes called simple partial seizures of temporal lobe origin or temporal lobe auras. Motor - Other simple partial seizures include (clonic, jerking) convulsive movements. Jerking typically begins in one area of the body -- the face, arm, leg, or trunk -- and may spread to other parts of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian motor seizures; their spread is called a Jacksonian march. It cannot be stopped. Sensory Seizures - Some simple partial seizures consist of a sensory experience. The person may see lights,hear a buzzing sound,or feel tingling or numbness in a part of the body. These seizures are sometimes called Jacksonian sensory seizures. Simple partial seizures usually last just a few seconds,although they may be longer. If there are no convulsions,they may NOT be obvious to the onlooker. In some children,simple partial seizures lead to complex partial seizures,or to tonic-clonic convulsions. Drop Attacks~ Atonic (Drop) Seizures Atonic seizures (drop attacks) are not seen in many children. Without warning, a child abruptly loses consciousness, collapses and falls to the floor. There is no convulsion, but children may bang their heads as they fall. Recovery occurs after a few seconds. The child regains consciousness, and can again stand and walk. Atonic seizures may occur with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. They sometimes resist anticonvulsant medication. If so, the child may have to wear a helmet to prevent head injuries.
  |
|
|
| |
|
|
||
| previous page |
|
next page |
|
|
||