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Seizure Disorders

Seizure Disorders. Jennifer Hickel EEC4731 Module 2: Young Children’s Health. Overview. Seizures are defined as a temporary interruption of consciousness sometimes accompanied by convulsive moments .

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Seizure Disorders

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  1. Seizure Disorders Jennifer Hickel EEC4731 Module 2: Young Children’s Health

  2. Overview • Seizures are defined as a temporary interruption of consciousness sometimes accompanied by convulsive moments. • Result of a sudden disruption of orderly communication among nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. • Creates uncontrolled and abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

  3. Types, Signs and Symptoms • Febrile seizures: • Triggered by high fever • May cause child to lose consciousness, experience full-body, involuntary, jerking movements • Usually stop when fever subsides • Not thought to result in serious or permanent damage • Focal seizures (Partial seizures): • Involuntary convulsive movements • Begin at the tip of an extremity and spread toward the body trunk • Child does not always lose consciousness

  4. Types, Signs and Symptoms – Cont. • Petit mal seizures (Absence seizures): • Characterized by momentary losses of attention • Ex: starting off into space, blank appearance, brief fluttering of the eyes • Usually last 10-30 seconds • Child may abruptly stop activity and immediately resume after seizure • Grand mal seizures (Tonic-Clonic seizures): • Most common form of seizure disorders • Convulsive movements usually involving the entire body • Some children experience an “aura” or warning before seizure begins • Ex: sound, smell, taste, sensation, or visual cue • Child experiences sudden stiffness followed by loss of consciousness and uncontrollable muscular contractions • After seizure child may awaken and complain of headache or dizziness

  5. Types, Signs and Symptoms – Cont. • Temporal lobe seizures: • Spontaneous episode of unusual behavior • Ex: inappropriate hysterical laughter, utter unintelligible sounds, run around in circles • May experience an “aura” before seizure begins • Child does not usually lose complete consciousness • May be drowsy and/or confused afterwards • Child should be encouraged to rest

  6. What can trigger a seizure? • Seizures can be triggered by many different factors including: • Missing a dose of medication • Tiredness • Missing meals • Taking illicit drugs • Increased stress level • Flashing lights • Drinking alcohol • Overheating or overexertion (hyperthermia)

  7. Management of Seizure Disorders • Most seizures can be controlled with medication • Vital that children take medication everyday, even if seizures are under control • Medication may cause undesirable side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and dizziness • Child should be monitored closely by physician • Surgery and specially prescribed diets can also be used to control seizures

  8. What do I do as a teacher? • Teachers have two primary responsibilities if a child has a seizure in the classroom: • 1) Ensure the safety of the student having the seizure • 2) Address the situation with the rest of the class Let’s explore each of these responsibilities a bit more specifically…

  9. What to do During a Seizure • Try to remain calm. Let the student have the seizure, then contact the school nurse to offer assistance after the seizure has subsided. • If you are able, try to time the duration of the seizure. • Attempt to help the student to the floor and provide a pillow or something soft to prevent head injury. Do not hold a seizing student down. • Move any furniture or objects that may cause injury. • Do not put anything in the student’s mouth. • When jerking movement stops, lay the student on his or her side. It is not uncommon for someone who has had a seizure to vomit, and this will help prevent the student from choking. Then, let the student rest in this position until he or she regains consciousness. • After the seizure, reassure the student that he or she is safe. Once fully alert, let the student know about the seizure and how long it lasted. • If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or you see that the student is having more than one seizure without regaining consciousness, call an ambulance immediately—this is a medical emergency that requires advanced care.

  10. What to do After a Seizure • Notify the student’s parents immediately. • Document the seizure in a brief, written report and include it in the student’s health file. • Discuss the event if the seizure was witnessed by other members of the class. • Helps students to understand what happened • Helps ease students’ fears and minimize humiliation or ill feelings toward the student who had the seizure.

  11. Classroom Resources • Lesson plans to help you offer seizure/epilepsy education in your classroom. • http://www.epilepsyclassroom.com/includes/pdf/Lesson%20Plan%20Preschool-K.pdf (Preschool – K) • http://www.epilepsyclassroom.com/includes/pdf/Lesson%20Plan%20Grades%201-4.pdf (Grades 1-4) • Sample incident form to help you inform the parents of a student who has had a seizure: • http://www.epilepsyclassroom.com/includes/pdf/Seizure%20Incident%20Report.pdf

  12. References • Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child • 7th Edition, by: Lynn R. Marotz • Epilepsy Classroom • http://www.epilepsyclassroom.com/home/index.aspx

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