Epilepsy & Seizures

From Columbia ACCOMPLISHED's 6/28/25 recording Pt 1

Epilepsy

A chronic brain disorder where groups of nerve cells in the brain sometimes send the wrong signals and cause seizures.

What are some conditions that can lead to epilepsy?

Brain tumors, Alzheimer’s Disease, Strokes, Infections, etc.

Seizures

Bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity between neurons that lead to temporary abnormal movement and potential brain damage.

What are some triggers of seizures?

Stress, dehydration, sleep deprivation, alchol consumption or withdrawal, etc.

What are ways to manage epilepsy?

Antiseizure medication or surgery.

What are some cases in which you should call 911 for a Seizure?

1) If this is a first-time seizure or a change in the type of seizure usually experienced.

2) Injuries have resulted from the seizure.

3) If the seizure is coupled with fever or occurs in water.

4) If the person with the seizure is pregnant, diabetic, or has a life threatening condition.

What does RIME stand for and when is it used?

RIME: Record, Interpret, Manage, Educate. Used for the information gathered from a BOLDCARTS assessment.

What are some common symptoms of epilepsy?

Staring, Contraction/Jerking of muscles, Weakness, Confused Speech, etc.

Diagnosis Criteria

A set of rules, symptoms, and tests used by healthcare providers in order to create accurate diagnoses for the patient.

Diagnostic Criteria for epilepsy & seizures

1) Two (unprovoked) seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart.

2) A single (unprovoked) seizure if risk of another one is >60% in the next ten years.

3) Diagnosis of Epilepsy Syndrome.

Wat are some diseases that look similar to epilepsy?

Sleeping disorders, Panic Attacks, Syncope (fainting), etc.

Electrodes

Devices that are attached to one’s scalp in order to record electrical activity inside their brain.

Ambulatory EEG (Electrocephalography)

A device the patient wears and can move around with.

Stereo-EEG

Placed via surgery, usually used when healthcare professionals need an in-depth idea of the electrical activity in the patient’s brain.

CT & MRI Scans

Scans that record the structure of the brain, usually used to find the underlying causes of epilepsy in a patient.