SEIZURES CAUSES OF SEIZURES

EPILEPSY POISONING HYPOGLYCAEMIA (E.G. DIABETES) HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAD INJURY STROKE INFECTION BRAIN TUMOUR DRUG WITHDRAWAL ECLAMPSIA

EPILEPSY

Epilepsy is a common cause of seizures and is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures. The treatment below can be used for all seizures irrespective of their cause.

MINOR EPILEPSY

Minor epilepsy (also known as absence seizure) causes brief interruption to consciousness and jerking movement of the hands or the facial muscles.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Staring blankly; Momentary lapse of consciousness;

Rapid blinking of eyes; Jerking movement of hand/ arm.

TREATMENT

Protect the patient from any injury, (remove hot, sharp objects from patient vicinity); Ensure bystanders move away; Stay with the patient until they have recovered; Advise the patient to contact his or her G.P.

STATUS EPILEPTICUS

Status epilepticus is a lifethreatening condition in which the brain is in a state of continual seizure. Individual seizures may last over 30 minutes or present as a series of seizures which occur in rapid succession.

TREATMENT

1. CALL the emergency services on 112 or 999 2. PROTECT the patient from injury by removing any object that poses a threat to him or her a safe distance away 3. CHECK breathing once the seizure stops and place in the recovery position once they are breathing adequately 4. SEIZURE may repeat a number of times, so monitor carefully 5. BE PREPARED to resuscitate