Potential triggers
Cortisol
Tiredness, stress, not sleeping well
Name for the period preceeding?
Prodrome
Neuro
Level of consciousness
Definition for post-ictally
period after seizure where patients experience symptoms such as .. questions below
Risk factor
Head trauma or infection
A part of social history (2)
Alcohol, drugs
Differentiate epilepsy from syncope?
- prolonged upright position
- sweating
- nausea
Something you can do to get a full picture?
- Ask if there were eyewitnesses and if they could come in
- videos could also be helpful
Post-ictally symptom - physical (2)
muscle aches (myalgia)
sore tongue - might be bitten! - will also affect speech
If diagnosed, an org you have to inform?
DVLA
- cannot drive until free from day time seizures for min. 1 year
Pyrexia
Illnesses causing a high temperature
Differentiate between non-epileptic seizures to epileptic seizures?
- non-ep are situational
- non-ep are longer, closed mouth / eyes during grand mal, pelvic thrust, no incontinence or tongue biting
Time factors (2)
- Length of the attack
- What time of the day is it? Patient just woken up from sleep?
Post-ictally symptom - neuro (4)
headache, confusion, tiredness?
if focal seizure = dysphasia, temporal weakness
Risk factor (2) - more histories!
Family history of epilepsy
History of epilepsy as a baby
Very very common (all over tiktok)
Flashing lights
Typical prodrome symptoms (4)
- strange feeling in the gut
- deja vu
- strange smells
- flashing lights
Motor factors (4)
- Movement of muscles
- Speech, tongue
- Incontinence
When are seizures an emergency
seizures lasting more than 5 minutes or more than 3 seizures per hour
General advice if diagnosed
- do not go swimming alone
- leave shower door open