Health and Social Care Epilepsy – Seizures
Aims and Objectives This session will focus on what epileptic seizures It will look types of seizures It will also cover what can happen during a seizure You will demonstrate your understanding in an end of session assessment
Introduction Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects about 1 person in every 200 ď Ź Epilepsy is a tendency to have recurrent seizures that originate in the brain ď Ź
Effects of Seizures A seizure can cause changes in a person's: Body movements Awareness Emotions Senses (e.g. taste, smell, vision, or hearing)
Seizures and Epilepsy A person can have more than one type of seizure Types of seizure can change Over time With drug treatment
Fear and Prejudice Epilepsy is sometimes feared and a great deal of misunderstanding and prejudice surrounds the condition ď Ź If a person's seizures are controlled then epilepsy should not stop them from leading a full life ď Ź
Types of Epilepsy There are many different causes Around 30 different epileptic syndromes Over 38 different seizure types Epilepsy can go into remission as suddenly as it started Or it can stay with a person forever
Categories of Seizure
There are 3 broad categories:
Primary generalised seizures
Partial seizures
Secondary generalised seizures
Types of Epilepsy Seizure types: Simple partial seizure Complex partial seizure Absence seizure Tonic, atonic and myoclonic seizures Tonic clonic (major convulsive) seizure
Status Epilepticus Status epilepticus is a condition in which seizures persist for 30 minutes or more ď Ź It can occur with all types of seizure, but with tonic clonic seizures it is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical treatment ď Ź
Effects of Seizures Seizures cause temporary disturbances of brain functions (e.g. motor control, responsiveness and recall) which typically last from seconds to a few minutes ď Ź Seizures may be followed by a period of confusion or sensory impairment that can persist for several hours ď Ź
Primary Generalised Seizures The whole brain is affected by the disruption to its usual activity and consciousness is lost Seizures in this category include: Absences Tonic-clonic Tonic and atonic seizures, or drop attacks Myoclonic
Primary Generalised Seizures Absences The person looks blank for a few seconds and may not respond when spoken to or realise they have had a seizure This type of seizure can happen repeatedly and can be mistaken for daydreaming
Primary Generalised Seizures
Tonic-clonic
The person stiffens, loses consciousness, convulses and may fall Incontinence may occur
Primary Generalised Seizures Tonic and atonic seizures, or drop attacks ď Ź The person may stiffen and fall heavily or lose muscle tone and crumple to the ground ď Ź
Primary Generalised Seizures Myoclonic ď Ź Rhythmic, shock-like muscle jerks that can affect the whole body and can be strong enough to throw the person to the ground ď Ź
Partial Seizures
Only part of the brain is affected and consciousness may be altered but not lost
Seizures in this category include:
Simple partial seizure
Complex partial seizures
Partial Seizures Simple partial seizure ď Ź The person may experience unusual sensations and/or movement in one part of the body (e.g. tingling or twitching) ď Ź
Partial Seizures
Complex partial seizures
Awareness is disturbed or lost and the person may experience unusual feelings They may be unaware of their surroundings and unable to respond when spoken to and their behaviour may appear strange
Secondary Generalised Seizures ď Ź
The disruption starts in one part of the brain and spreads to the whole brain
Understanding Seizures If a persons’ seizures are active (70% of people are seizure free) you need to understand: Their type of seizure Their seizure frequency Their seizure pattern
Understanding Seizures Seizure pattern (examples) Only whilst asleep? Only on wakening? Only on going to sleep? At a particular time of day? And so on . . .
Understanding Seizures Seizure pattern (continued) Is there a specific “trigger” for their seizures (e.g. tiredness) Do they get a warning (aura) that their seizure is about to happen?
Seizures and Risks There will be substantial risks if the person is having “unpredictable” (no warning, no pattern, no “trigger”) seizures Special Note It is possible to have more than one type of seizure
Sleep Some people with epilepsy find that certain situations can have an effect on their seizures: ď Ź For example being tired or having a disturbed sleep pattern ď Ź
Photosensitive Epilepsy Some people have photosensitive epilepsy This means their seizures are triggered by flashing lights or by certain geometric shapes and patterns Special warnings: TV Strip lighting
Photosensitive Epilepsy This is relatively rare and affects around 3-5% of people with epilepsy ď Ź People who have photosensitive epilepsy are most likely to react to lights which flicker between five and thirty times per second (5-30 Hertz) ď Ź
End of Session Assessment ď Ź
Testing your knowledge. . . . . . .
ď Ź
Before the handout
References Richards, J. (1999) – Complete A – Z Health & Social Care Handbook. London. Hodder & Stoughton. Waugh, A., Grant, A. (2002) – Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. Edinburgh. Churchill Livingstone. Epilepsy Research Foundation (www.erf.org.uk)