Seizures By: Holly Christensen 3A/4A MAP

What Are Seizures? Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem Episodes of disturbed brain function that cause changes in attention or behavior Episodes of disturbed brain function that cause changes in attention or behavior

What Seizures Are Caused By Sometimes a seizure is related to a temporary condition Sometimes a seizure is related to a temporary condition Using drugs Using drugs High fever High fever Unusual levels of Sodium or glucose in the blood Unusual levels of Sodium or glucose in the blood-etc. Sometimes seizures can occur because of a permanent injury to the brain tissue. This causes the brain to be abnormally excitable. Sometimes seizures can occur because of a permanent injury to the brain tissue. This causes the brain to be abnormally excitable. Epilepsy Seizures are caused by abnormal excited electrical signals in the brain.

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeating and random seizures of any type. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeating and random seizures of any type. In some cases epilepsy is idiopathic (cause cannot be identified). In some cases epilepsy is idiopathic (cause cannot be identified). These seizures usually occur between the ages of 5 and 20 years old, but can also happen at any age. These seizures usually occur between the ages of 5 and 20 years old, but can also happen at any age. People with this form of epilepsy do not have any neurological problems but epilepsy and/or seizures run in their family. People with this form of epilepsy do not have any neurological problems but epilepsy and/or seizures run in their family.

Common Causes of Epilepsy Stroke (TIA) Stroke (TIA) Illnesses that cause brain to weaken Illnesses that cause brain to weaken Traumatic brain Injury Traumatic brain Injury Problems presented before birth Problems presented before birth Injuries near the time of birth Injuries near the time of birth Tumors or other structural brain lesions Tumors or other structural brain lesions Dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease) Dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease) Kidney/ Liver Failure Kidney/ Liver Failure Infections Infections Brain abscess Meningitis Encephalitis Neurosyphilis AIDS

Seizure Symptoms Severity of seizures can vary Severity of seizures can vary It depends on the part of the brain that is being effected and the original cause of the seizure. It depends on the part of the brain that is being effected and the original cause of the seizure. Seizures can be from small staring spells to loss of consciousness and violent convulsions (shaking). It just depends. Seizures can be from small staring spells to loss of consciousness and violent convulsions (shaking). It just depends.

Tests If you have a seizure a physical examination may be normal or it may show abnormal brain function If you have a seizure a physical examination may be normal or it may show abnormal brain function An Electroencephalograph (EEG) will be taken to look at the abnormal electrical activity going on in the brain. An Electroencephalograph (EEG) will be taken to look at the abnormal electrical activity going on in the brain. Sometimes it will show the exact location where the seizure started Sometimes it will show the exact location where the seizure started

Tests Continued… Many other test can be taken to look for temporary causes such as: Many other test can be taken to look for temporary causes such as: Blood chemistry Blood chemistry Blood sugar Blood sugar CBC CBC CSF CSF Kidney/Liver function tests Kidney/Liver function tests Head CT or MRI Head CT or MRI Lumbar Puncture Lumbar Puncture

Treatment Treatment may vary on the type of seizure and what the tests showed Treatment may vary on the type of seizure and what the tests showed Surgically removing a tumor or an abnormal or bleeding blood vessel Surgically removing a tumor or an abnormal or bleeding blood vessel Medications: Anticonvulsants-may reduce the number of seizures in the future (taken by mouth) Medications: Anticonvulsants-may reduce the number of seizures in the future (taken by mouth) Type of medications depend on the seizures you are having Type of medications depend on the seizures you are having Some medications do not respond well to seizures and can worsen the seizures Some medications do not respond well to seizures and can worsen the seizures Its very important you take medications on time and the right amount Its very important you take medications on time and the right amount Never stop taking medications without taking to a doctor first. Never stop taking medications without taking to a doctor first.

Prognosis Some people with certain types of seizures may be able to reduce or completely stop their seizures with medication after several years Some people with certain types of seizures may be able to reduce or completely stop their seizures with medication after several years Some people seizures may be a lifelong condition and they will have to take drugs their whole life. Some people seizures may be a lifelong condition and they will have to take drugs their whole life. Death is not typical with seizures but can happen- lack of breathing which causes the brain tissue to die. Sometimes there is a sudden cause of death in patients with seizures. Death is not typical with seizures but can happen- lack of breathing which causes the brain tissue to die. Sometimes there is a sudden cause of death in patients with seizures.

Prevention There is not a way to prevent seizure There is not a way to prevent seizure The best outlook is to take care of our body by eating properly, getting plenty of sleep, and staying away from illegal drugs and alcohol. The best outlook is to take care of our body by eating properly, getting plenty of sleep, and staying away from illegal drugs and alcohol.

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