Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy

1. Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy • Seizure is a paroxysmal, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain that interrupts normal function. Seizures are often symptoms of an underlying illness. • They may accompany a variety of disorders, or they may occur spontaneously without any apparent cause. • Seizures resulting from systemic and metabolic disturbances are not considered epilepsy if the seizures cease when the underlying problem is corrected. • In the adult, metabolic disturbances that cause seizures include acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, hypoxia, alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal, dehydration, and water intoxication. • Extracranialdisorders that can cause seizures are heart, lung, liver, or kidney diseases; lupus ; diabetes mellitus; hypertension; and septicemia.

2. Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy • Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has spontaneous recurring seizures caused by a chronic underlying condition. • In the United States it is estimated that more than 3 million people have active epilepsy, with 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year. • National trends show that incidence of epilepsy is decreasing in children and increasing in the elderly. • The highest incidence of new-onset epilepsy occurs in people over 60 years old. • New cases of epilepsy are more common in African Americans and in socially disadvantaged populations. • Males are slightly more likely to develop epilepsy than females. • Populations at higher risk to develop epilepsy include those with Alzheimer's disease, those who have had a stroke, and persons with a parent who has epilepsy.

3. Etiology and Pathophysiology • The most common causes of seizure disorder during the first 6 months of life are severe birth injury, congenital defects involving the central nervous system (CNS), infections, and inborn errors of metabolism. • In patients between 2 and 20 years of age, the primary causative factors are birth injury, infection, trauma, and genetic factors. • In individuals between 20 and 30 years of age, seizure disorder usually occurs as the result of structural lesions, such as trauma, brain tumors, or vascular disease. • After 50 years of age, the primary causes of seizure disorders are cerebrovascular lesions (stroke) and metastatic brain tumors. • Although many causes of seizure disorders have been identified, three fourths of all seizure disorder cases cannot be attributed to a specific cause and are considered idiopathic.

5. Collaborative Care Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy

6. Collaborative Care Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy

9. Nursing Assessment Seizure Disorders And Epilepsy

10. Nursing Assessment Seizure Disorders And Epilepsy

11. Nursing Assessment Seizure Disorders And Epilepsy