Transcript Seizures

Seizure
Establishing Diagnosis
• Most Useful Diagnostic
– comprehensive description of the seizures
– patient's health history
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EEG
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
PET Scan
CBC
CMP
Available Support
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Medications
Diet
– Ketogenic Diet
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Surgery
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Multiple Subpial Transection (MST)
Temporal Lobe Resection
Lesionectomy
Corpus callosotomy
Support Groups
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Psychosocial Aspects of Disease
What to ask doctor
Legal references
Newest Treatments
EpilepsyFoundation.org
Epilepsy.com
Agency Visit
SERVING PERSONS
WITH EPILEPSY,
THEIR FAMILIES,
AND THE COMMUNITY
SINCE 1973
Statistics
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Epilepsy can develop at any age and
can be a result of genetics, stroke,
head injury, and many other factors.
In two-thirds of patients diagnosed
with Epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
Epilepsy affects over 3 million
Americans of all ages – more than
Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy,
Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson’s
Disease combined.
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In America, Epilepsy is as common as
Breast Cancer, and takes as many lives.
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Almost 500 new cases of Epilepsy are
diagnosed every day in the United
States.
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Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people
worldwide.
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In over 30% of patients, seizures
cannot be controlled with treatment.
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Uncontrolled seizures may lead to
brain damage and death.
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Up to 50,000 Americans die each year
from seizures and related causes.
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The mortality rate among people with
Epilepsy is two - three times higher
than the general population.
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Risk of sudden death among those
with Epilepsy is twenty-four times
greater.
(source: www.epilepsy.com)
Psychosocial Factors
Often more impactful than the seizures themselves
• lack of independence
• restriction of social activities
• side effects of medications
• fatigue
• impaired self-esteem /feeling different
• depression or anxiety about illness
• worries about the future
• loss of sense of control
• multiple hospitalizations and medical visits
• increased stressors on parents / caregivers
Transportation
• A huge issue (especially in states
that do not have extensive public
transportation services)
• Loss of driving privileges (due
to safety concerns/seizures) is a big
contributor to a loss of
independence
• Interferes with many
essential activities:
EMPLOYMENT,
SCHOOL,
MEDICAL
APPOINTMENTS,
GROCERY SHOPPING,
ETC…
Employment
• Many adults with epilepsy are employed
and work in a wide range of fields.
• Many will not have or will seldom have
a seizure at work. However, persons
with epilepsy are often perceived by
employers as “difficult to employ”
Jeopardy -QUESTION # 1
Can people outrgrow epilepsy?
Jeopardy -ANSWER # 1
WHAT IS:
YES
in many cases children may
simply outgrow the seizures
Jeopardy - QUESTION #2
TRUE OR FALSE MANY FAMOUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD EPILEPSY?
Jeopardy -ANSWER #2
TRUE - Many Famous people throughout the ages have had epilepsy
Alexander the Great
Julius Caesar
Socrates
Napoleon Bonaparte
Leonardo da Vinci
Vincent Van Gogh
Charles Dickens
Agatha Christie
Thomas Edison
Harriet Tubman
Margeaux Hemingway
Danny Glover
Prince
(Source: Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida)
VIDEO CLIPS ???
• http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=seizur
e&view=detail&mid=47319C60EA3CA6798655
47319C60EA3CA6798655&first=0&FORM=NV
PFVR
Surgery
• Removes or isolates the area of the brain
where seizures originate.
– If too vital a series of incisions to prevent seizures
from spreading
Types of Surgery
• Removing a portion of the brain
• Severing connection between hemispheres
• Removing half the brain
Surgical Risks
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Memory problems
Motor skills and language problems
Double vision
Increased number of seizures
Reduced visual field
Partial, one-sided paralysis
Nutritional-Ketogenic
• Ketogenic diet may help offset seizures
– Very low carb, adequate protein and high fat diet
– Calories and fluids are restricted and the diet must
be supplemented with vitamins and calcium
Ketogenic Diet
– Difficult diet to follow
– Requires constant monitoring and supervision
– Many still need to take medications to help
control seizures
– Short term side effects may include constipation,
nausea, hunger and lack of energy
Jeopardy question
• People with seizures learn to cope with their
disorders and often do not require medical
attention for a seizure. However, there is a certain
situation that can arise that is always considered to
be a medical emergency. What is it?
A) Having two or more short seizures in a 24 hour
period
B) Memory loss
C) A tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure
D) Status epilepticus
Jeopardy Answer
• D) Status epilepticus
Jeopardy question
• Throughout history, people have associated
epilepsy with a number of things. Which of these
have been associated with epilepsy?
A) The person was thought to have offended the gods.
B) The person was thought to be a witch.
C) All of these have been associated with epilepsy.
D) The person was thought to be possessed by the
devil.
Jeopardy answer
• D) Status epilepticus
• More jeopardy questions
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz33980
426e6828.html