The medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of epilepsy, as the physical examination and laboratory values are usually normal. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Are there any current infections? If so, which ones? Are there any neurological conditions in your family that are … Epilepsy: Medical History
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Specifically, in children: Respiratory arrest Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Metabolic derailments such as those associated with excessive alcohol consumption (“blackout”). Cardiovascular system (I00-I99). Apoplexy (stroke) Especially in children Epileptic seizures occur as the first symptom in 2-4% of cerebral ischemias and cerebral hemorrhages. [Epilepsy is a “stroke chameleon,” meaning it … Epilepsy: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by epilepsy: Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99). ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) – in children with epilepsy. Anxiety disorders Dementia – Those who develop epilepsy in old age are at increased risk for dementia; epilepsy also accelerates dementia. Depression Insomnia (sleep disturbance; … Epilepsy: Complications
1.1: Classification of epileptic seizures. Previous classification New classification Localization-related (focal, partial) seizures Single-focal(single-partial) Focal-motor Aura Automatisms Complex-focal(complex-partial),psychomotor Secondary-generalized Focal seizuresDescriptive characteristics of focal seizures depending on impairment during the seizure: Without impairment of consciousness or attention With observable motor or autonomic components With only subjective sensory/sensory or mental phenomena. With limitation of consciousness or … Epilepsy: Classification
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps. The patient is assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale. This contains the following criteria: Criterion Score Eye opening spontaneous 4 on request 3 on pain stimulus 2 no reaction 1 Verbal communication conversational, oriented 5 conversational, disoriented (confused) 4 incoherent words 3 unintelligible … Epilepsy: Examination
Surgical epilepsy therapy Indications Focal epilepsy with concomitant presence of pharmacoresistance: With focal initial origin and after failure of two antiepileptic drugs (drug-refractory epilepsy). If freedom from seizure recurrence cannot be achieved with medication in temporal lobe epilepsy, resection of a specific brain area (anteromedial temporal lobe or hippocampal region) may be attempted to prevent … Epilepsy: Surgical Therapy
To prevent epilepsy, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Micronutrient deficiency (vital substances) – see Prevention with micronutrients. Consumption of stimulants Alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption (but also alcohol withdrawal). Nicotine from e-cigarettes – an acute overdose of nicotine can cause tonic-clonic seizures (35 individual cases)In Germany, e-cigarettes … Epilepsy: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate epilepsy: Symptoms of focal seizures Motor symptoms such as. Tonic cramping or muscle twitching in individual regions of the body Turning movements of the head or eyes, respectively Simultaneous bending and stretching movements of the arms Sensory symptoms such as. Hallucinations Tingling Numbness Photopsia (flashes of light; flashes) … Epilepsy: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Epilepsy represents a functional disorder of the brain characterized by pathologic excitatory spreading. This involves seizure-like explosive discharges of central neurons (nerve cells). This can then manifest itself in very different symptoms depending on the exact location of the disorder. Triggers for an epileptic seizure are sleep disturbances (seizure triggering by … Epilepsy: Causes
Epileptic seizure: make an emergency call immediately! (Call number 112) General measures Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use). Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day). Drug restriction (abstaining from drugs). Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease. Conventional non-surgical therapy methods … Epilepsy: Therapy
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Electrolytes – calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Fasting glucose (fasting blood sugar) Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT). Renal parameters – urea, creatinine, cystatin C or creatinine clearance, as appropriate. … Epilepsy: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic target Prevention of epileptic seizures or reduction in the number of seizures. Therapy recommendations Antiepileptic drugs may be prescribed in adults after a first seizure, especially if risk factors such as EEG abnormalities, a brain lesion (brain change), and other abnormalities on imaging are present. This procedure should be discussed with the patient. Acute … Epilepsy: Drug Therapy
