Seizure
Background
Seizure consists of involuntary muscle contractions due to disturbance in electrical activity of the brain. It presents with sudden loss of consciousness and jerking of the extremities in most cases. In rare cases, consciousness is preserved. In elderly, the most common causes of seizure include epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and medication. Seizure can also be caused by head injury, brain-damaging disease (neurodegenerative diseases, tumor, and infection), and lack of nutrients in brain (hypoglycemia, acute alcohol intoxication or drug withdrawal)
Symptoms and signs
- Sudden loss of consciousness - Arching of back - Breathing difficulty (grey-bluish lips, red and puffy face/neck) - Convulsive movements (clenched jaw with noisy breathing, tonguebiting, drooling or foaming of saliva, facial twitching) - Urine or bowel incontinence - Tiredness and sleepiness after seizure The elderly may have brief warning symptoms (aura) just before seizure, for example, strange dizzy feeling, and special smell/taste. He/she may regain consciousness in a few minutes, and may be unaware of the actions.
Central Nervous System
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