1. SEIZURES/EPILEPSY
Emergency Care

2. EPILEPSY/SEIZURES________________
Chronic disorder of the brain
characterized by recurrent seizures
CAUSES INCLUDE:
Inherited diseases
Problems in fetal development
Lack of oxygen or brain injury at birth
Problems in infancy
Infections, toxicity, tumors
Circulatory problems including stroke

3. SEIZURES _________________
Sudden, uncontrolled episodes of
excessive electrical discharges in the brain
There are over 30 different types of seizures
Not all seizures indicate epilepsy
Other causes for seizures include
Genetic diseases
Head trauma
High temperature
Exposure to environmental triggers
Lack of oxygen or brain injury at birth
Infections, toxicity, tumors
Hypoglycemia (as in Diabetes)
Alcohol & Drugs

4. Signs & Symptoms TONIC CLONIC
GENERALIZED SEIZURES
PARTIAL SEIZURES
TONIC
CLONIC
1-5 minutes, entire body falls, stiffens, jerks, bites tongue, bluish, lack of oxygen, incontinence, and sleepy
ABSENCE
SEIZURES
Few seconds, staring spell or blinks eyes, most common in children, mistaken for daydreaming
COMPLEX
PARTIAL
1-2 minutes, purposeless activity, impaired consciousness, may appear confused, drunk, psychotic, smacks lips or struggles when restrained
SIMPLE
Jerking of one limb or side of body and consciousness
is maintained

6. Medical Emergency_____
A PROLONGED
OR SEVERE RECURRENT
SEIZURE LASTING OVER 5 TO 15 MINUTES
Conditions
occurring in the body
Decreased oxygen to the brain
Decreased Blood flow to the brain.
Decreased nutrients to the brain.