EMT deck #9

If the problem is on one side of the brain, then

signs and symptoms may only appear on one side as well

Migraine

changes in blood vessel size at the base of the brain

Ischemia

a reduction in blood supply that causes inadequate oxygen being supplied to brain cells

What are the two types of strokes?

ischemic and hemorrhage

When does an Ischemic stroke occur?

Blood flow through the cerebral arteries is blocked

When does a hemorrhage Stroke occur?

A blood vessel ruptures and the accumulated blood causes increased pressure in the brain

Thrombosis

A blood clot forms at the site of blockage

Embolus

Blood clot forms somewhere else and travels to the site of the blockage

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Blood Vessel ruptures and the accumulated blood creates a blood clot

Who is at risk of hemorrhagic shock

• high blood pressure

• long term entreated high blood pressure

aneurysm

swelling or enlargement of the wall of the artery

The most notable symptom of a ruptured aneurysm

Worst Headache of their life

Berry aneurysm

When a healthy person has weakness of a blood vessel

Transient Ischemic Attack

“mini strokes”, angina may occur; no actual death occurs, but symptoms line up with strokes so it is hard to differentiate

Symptoms of Stroke

• facial drooping

• sudden weakness or numbness in the face /arms/legs

• decreased or absent movement in the body

• lack of balance

• difficulty swallowing

• less responsiveness

• speech/aphasia/coma

Aphasia

Inability to produce or understand speech

Left Hemisphere Stroke

The damage is on the right side of the body

aphasia occurs

Right Hemisphere Stroke

• Can’t move muscles on the left side of the body

• may be oblivious

What happens to BP when there is bleeding in the Brain

it increases as the body tries to get more oxygen to the brain

Postictal State

period following a seizure that lasts between 5 to 30 minutes, following labored respirations and some for of altered mental status

layers of Skull (outer to lower)

Dura matter, arachnoid matter, pia matter.

Seizure Definition

neurological episode caused by a large surge of electricity to the brain

Generalized Seizure

abnormal electrical discharges from large areas of the brain, causing twitching of the body

Grand Mal Seizure

involve a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions

How does Grand Mal Seizure Present?

Through a Tonic and Clonic phase, with tonic being the body stiffening and clonic being the limbs jerking.

How long SHOULD grand Mal seizures last?

1 to 3 minutes

Focal Onset

Either aware or impaired awareness.

Aware Focal Onset

Patient is still mentally aware, but may report weakness, numbness, or dizziness

Impaired Awareness Focal Onset

Patient has altered mental status, lip smacking, eye blinking, isolated convulsions or jerking

Aura Definition

A warning sign before a seizure begins

Aura Symptoms

Vision changes, hallucinations, etc

epilepsy

a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, which are sudden surges of abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Postictal State

time period after seizure, lasts 5 to 30mins

Status Epilepticus

Seizures that continue every few minutes without the person regaining consciousness

Seizure causes in a Healthy person

• Withdrawal

• high stress

• hypo/hyperglycemia

• changes in blood chemistry

Febrile Seizure

Cause by fever in Children from 6 months to 5 years old
SHOULD LAST <15min

Incontinence

loss of bladder or bowel control in seizures

petit mal seizure

sudden lapse in consciousness, daydreaming like. rapid eye flutter, subtle chewing/lip smacking