Neurological Disorders and Epilepsy

Seizures affecting the entire brain, typically causing loss of consciousness for seconds to minutes.

The most common type of generalized seizure. It involves a stiffening phase (tonic) followed by jerking movements (clonic) of the body.

A type of generalized seizure characterized by brief staring spells, often occurring in children. They are sometimes triggered by hyperventilation or flashing lights.

A type of seizure where only a specific area of the brain is involved. This can manifest in various specific behaviors based on the location of brain activity.

A type of focal seizure involving only simple sensory or motor symptoms. There's no loss of consciousness, and the seizure usually lasts less than a minute.

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical discharge of brain cells that disrupts normal brain function. It's often a symptom of an underlying medical problem like epilepsy.

Seizures can be caused by various factors, including epilepsy, severe electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, infection, or even spontaneously without a known cause.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. It occurs when abnormal brain cells fire spontaneously and uncontrollably.

Seizures are categorized into three main types: Generalized seizures involve the whole brain, Focal seizures affect a specific area, and Unknown seizures have an unclear origin.

A seizure typically has four stages: Prodrome (early warning signs), Aural (sensory warnings), Ictal (seizure event), and Postictal (recovery period).

A seizure is a brief, temporary episode of abnormal brain activity, while epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent seizures.

An epilepsy diagnosis requires at least two spontaneous seizures more than 24 hours apart, along with medical history, physical exam, and neuroimaging tests.

Common causes of seizures vary by age: Infants: severe birth injury, CNS defects, infections; Children: infection, trauma, genetics; Young adults: structural lesions, trauma, tumors, vascular disease; Older adults: cerebrovascular lesions, brain tumors.

Anti-seizure medications aim to control seizures, but they do not cure the underlying cause.

Anti-seizure medications work by stabilizing nerve cell membranes, preventing spontaneous and disorganized electrical activity in the brain.

Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to use ketones for energy instead of glucose.

Health promotion measures include wearing helmets, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, ensuring adequate sleep, and identifying triggers.

Home care includes making up missed doses of medications within 24 hours, learning emergency management techniques, and knowing when to call 911.

During a seizure, focus on protecting the patient: maintain an open airway, protect the head, loosen tight clothing, do not restrain, and avoid putting anything in the mouth.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency characterized by prolonged seizures or repeated seizures without a recovery period in between.

A type of complex partial seizure that involves repetitive movements, such as lip-smacking, chewing, or picking at clothing. It often occurs with altered consciousness.

Altered sensory experiences that can occur during complex partial seizures, including distortions of visual or auditory sensations, vertigo, and altered memory and thought processes.

A diagnostic tool used to record brain activity by placing electrodes on the scalp. It helps identify abnormal brain activity that could be indicative of a seizure.

A medical emergency where a seizure lasts for a prolonged time or occurs repeatedly without regaining consciousness, putting the individual at risk for permanent brain damage.

Treatment for seizures involves medications such as lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) for immediate relief, followed by longer-acting medications like phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital.

Potential physical consequences of seizures include airway obstruction, impaired oxygen exchange, injury from falls or trauma, and side effects from medications.

Impacts on quality of life, limitations on activities (driving, work), social stigma, and emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety, are common psychosocial complications of seizures.

MS is a chronic, progressive, degenerative, autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system attacks myelin, the protective covering of nerves, disrupting communication between the CNS and the rest of the body. There is no cure, but treatments can reduce relapse frequency and severity, and ease symptoms.

The myelin sheaths of neurons in the brain and spinal cord are attacked, but the nerve fiber itself is not affected initially. This leads to noticeable impairment of function, but the myelin can regenerate and symptoms might disappear.

Myelin is replaced by scar tissue, forming hard, sclerotic plaques. This slows down nerve impulses. Eventually, the destruction of axons totally blocks impulses, leading to permanent loss of function.

Symptoms are vague and intermittent over months and years, making diagnosis challenging. The disease may not be diagnosed until long after the first symptom appears.

Rectal temperature measurement is contraindicated in patients with epilepsy because it could trigger a seizure.

The most common type of generalized seizure is a tonic-clonic seizure. It involves a stiffening phase (tonic) followed by jerking movements (clonic) of the body.

A partial seizure involves only a specific area of the brain. It can manifest in various ways based on the location of brain activity. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or unusual sensations.

The nurse should inspect the oral mucosa because phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, a condition where the gums overgrow.

MS is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by inflammation and damage to the myelin sheath, leading to neurological dysfunction. It is commonly manifested by relapsing and remitting phases, marked by periods of symptom exacerbation followed by periods of recovery. While some individuals experience slow, progressive deterioration, others experience intermittent phases of remission and exacerbation.

MS symptoms are diverse and depend on the location and severity of the lesions within the CNS. Common symptoms include motor problems (weakness, spasticity, tremor), sensory problems (numbness, tingling, pain), cerebellar problems (ataxia, incoordination), cognitive problems (memory impairment, concentration difficulties), and emotional problems (depression, anxiety).

The average life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with MS is approximately 25 years beyond the onset of symptoms. This demonstrates that MS is not typically a fatal disease.

Although MS itself is not directly fatal, deaths in individuals with MS usually occur due to complications related to the disease. Common causes include infections (pneumonia), complications arising from immobility, and unrelated health issues.

Diagnosis of MS is typically based on a combination of clinical evaluation, patient history, neurological examination, and advanced imaging techniques. Specifically, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are used to identify and quantify lesions in the brain and spinal cord, while analyzing Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) via lumbar puncture can reveal an elevated number of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and increased levels of inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes and monocytes.

Drug therapies for MS are classified into three main categories: Corticosteroids are used to manage acute exacerbations by reducing inflammation and edema around lesions. Immunomodulators aim to modify the autoimmune processes that damage myelin. Immunosuppressive therapies are reserved for more severe cases and involve suppressing overall immune function to reduce inflammation.

Collaborative care for MS involves a multidisciplinary team aiming to manage symptoms, enhance quality of life, and maximize patient function. This includes physical therapy focusing on improving coordination, reducing spasticity, and training muscle substitution techniques. Nutritional therapy focuses on providing adequate nutrition and may involve a balanced diet with supplements, while speech therapy addresses speech and communication difficulties.

Nurses play a crucial role in managing MS by prioritizing the prevention of major complications, avoidance of triggers (infections, trauma, stress), and maximizing neuromuscular function. This involves supporting patients in maintaining independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) for as long as possible.