EPILEPSY“FIRST DO NO HARM”

EPILEPSY

Brain Anatomy

Brain disorder Repeated

spontaneous seizures (fits, convulsions)

Abnormal electrical signals in the brain

Different types of seizures

Staring spells Loss of

consciousness Violent convulsions

EPILEPSY

Exposure to drugs High fever Abnormal levels of

glucose or sodium Idiopathic (cause

can’t be identified) Stroke Tumor Brain Infection

CAUSE OF SEIZURES

Neurologic Exam (may be normal)

EEG (test for electrical activity in brain)

CT or MRI of brain Lumbar puncture

(spinal tap)

Diagnosis

lumbar puncture Brain MRI CT scan of brain EEG

CT SCAN

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH

EEG CAP EEG TRACING

LUMBAR PUNCTURE

TREATMENT

Medicine

Anticonvulsant medication

Medicine type depends on type of seizures

Dosage has to be adjusted at times

Medicine may have to change at times

Monitor for side effects

Phenobarbital Dilantin Tegretol

Surgery to remove abnormal brain cells

Vagal nerve stimulator (in chest)

*Ketogenic diet

TREATMENT

High Fat, Low Carbohydrate (Starch and sugar)

Liver converts fats into ketones

Ketones replaces glucose in brain for energy

Effective in1/2 of patients

KETOGENIC DIET

KETOGENIC DIET

Some types of childhood epilepsy may improve or go away with age

Some may stop their medication after no seizures for several years

Death or permanent brain damage is rare

Serious injury may occur if driving

If infrequent seizures, no severe lifestyle restrictions

PROGNOSIS