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This product was developed with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under cooperative agreement number 5U58DP000606-05. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.
A seizure is:
A sudden, brief disruption of the normal functioning of neurons in the brain
or a seizure may be
Blank staring, chewing, other repetitive purposeless movements Wandering, confusion, incoherent speech Crying, screaming, running, flailing A sudden loss of muscle tone and fall Picking at clothes, disrobing
Seizure Causes
High fever, especially in infants Drug use, alcohol withdrawal Near-drowning or lack of oxygen from another cause Metabolic disturbances Head trauma Brain tumor, infection, stroke Complication of diabetes or pregnancy
Epilepsy is not contagious, it is not a mental illness or a cognitive disability. The neurological dysfunction seen in epilepsy can begin at birth, childhood, adolescence, or even in adulthood.
Stroke
Brain tumor
Brain infection Past head injury
Genetic factors
but the majority of people who have epilepsy do not have other impairments and live very normal lives.
Loss of consciousness, fall and stiffening of limbs, followed by rhythmic shaking. Breathing may stop temporarily skin, nails, lips may turn blue Loss of bladder/bowel control may occur Generally lasts 1 to 3 minutes Followed by confusion, sleepiness
In a partial seizure the electrical disruption involves a limited area of the brain.
movements -
tingling, weakness, sounds, smells, tastes, feeling of upset stomach, visual distortions dj vu, hallucinations, feelings of fear or anxiety
symptoms -
symptoms -
Usually last less than one minute May precede a generalized seizure
Characterized by altered awareness Confusion, inability to respond Automatic, purposeless behaviors such as picking at clothes, chewing or mumbling. Emotional outbursts May be confused with: Drunkenness or drug use Willful belligerence, aggressiveness
Anti-epileptic Medications
Depakote (Valproic acid) Felbatol (felbamate) Gabatril (tiagabine) Neurontin (gabapentin) Keppra (levetiracetam) Tegretol (carbamezepine) Lamictal (lamotrigine) Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Dilantin (phenytoin) Topamax (topiramate) phenobarbitol Zonegran (zonisamide) Lyrica (pregabalin)
Medications Chart
[This chart also found on pages 30 and 36 of the final Participants and Trainers Guides, respectively].
Surgical treatment
Factors influencing decision: Ability to identify focus of seizures Area of brain involved can be safely removed without resulting in a significant deficit Other treatments have been unsuccessful
An implanted device that sends regular, mild electrical pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve
Variation in medication effectiveness Sleep deprivation Stress/ Illness Hypoglycemia/dehydration Alcohol/drug use or withdrawal Hormonal fluctuations Flashing lights or other triggers
Some epilepsy patients never achieve effective seizure control and may experience varying degrees of financial, social and legal problems.
Activate ALS and/or rapidly transport to receiving facility if consciousness does not return, or confusion persists more than 20 minutes post-seizure
Question witnesses:
Description of seizure event Identifying information for patient, emergency contacts Prior history of seizures or other medical problems
After a first-time GTC seizure, or if there is another medical condition, medical evaluation is necessary to identify and treat the cause.
ALS response to a GTC seizure that has lasted longer than 5 minutes:
Per local protocols, administer meds to stop seizure activity:
Diazepam (Valium) IV or
Diastat rectal gel form * Midazolam (Versed) IV, IM, buccal or intranasal Lorazepam (Ativan) IV or IM
After stabilizing the patient, transport to receiving facility. Monitor vital signs. Report to ED the type and dose of seizure rescue medication that was administered.
Look for sudden loss of awareness and automatic, purposeless behaviors such as picking at clothes, chewing, mumbling or wandering.
Activate ALS and/or rapidly transport to receiving facility if injury is present or if confusion persists over 20 minutes after seizure ends.
Question witnesses:
Description of seizure event Any known history of seizures? If possible, obtain medical history, ID and emergency contact information
After a first-time seizure, medical evaluation is necessary to identify and treat the cause.
1-800-332-1000 www.epilepsyfoundation.org
Or Click Here to Contact your Local Epilepsy Foundation Affiliate