SEIZURE DISORDERS
SEIZURE
 are episodes of abnormal, sensory, autonomic, or psychic activity (or a combination of
these) that result from sudden excessive discharge from cerebral neurons.
 are paroxysmal motor, sensory, or cognitive manifestation of spontaneous, abnormally
synchronous discharges of collection of neurons in the cerebral cortex
 may be as brief as a blank stare. Lasting a second, or as long as a tonic-clonic seizure,
lasting several minutes (accompanied by loss of consciousness, bowel and bladder
incontinence, and respiratory cessation)
 single event of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain resulting in an abrupt and
temporary altered state of cerebral function
CONVULSION
 the clonic-tonic (jerky, contract-relax) movement associated with some seizures.
EPILEPSY
 is a group of syndromes characterized by unprovoked, recurring seizures
 is not a disease but rather a sign of CNS disorder
EPILEPTIC SYNDROME
 Composed of paroxysmal neurologic dysfunction causing recurrent episode of one or
more of the following; a.) Loss of consciousness b.) Convulsive movements on other
motor activity c.) Sensory phenomena and d.) behavioural abnormalities
INCIDENCE
 affect approximately 2.3 million Americans
 people of all ages are affected particularly children and elderly; increasing
 research have suggested that the increase may be due to:
a.) technological advances in OB and pediatric care that allow extremely high risk
neonates to survive; and
b.) technologic advances that have improved survival rates after cranio cerebral
trauma
CAUSES:
1. Unprovoked (Primary or Idiopathic) – no identifiable cause
~ with multiple episodes diagnosed as Seizure or Epilepsy
2. Provoked (Secondary Seizures)
~ Febrile state in children
~ Toxaemia of pregnancy
~ Rapid withdrawal from alcohol or barbiturates
~ Systemic Metabolic condition (E.g. Hypoglycemia, hypoxia, uremia and
electrolyte imbalance)
~ Pathologies of the brain ( E.g. Meningitis, CNS infections, cerebral bleeding or
cerebral edema)
~ Cerebrovascular disease
~ Head injuries
~ Brain tumor
~ Allergies