Seizure Pathophysiology 2r4t1k

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF SEIZURE: NERVOUS SYSTEM

ETIOLOGY

PREDISPOSING

FACTORS

- an electrical disturbance in the nerve cells in one section of the brain, causing (hypoxemia, them to emit abnormal, recurring, uncontrolled, injury, electrical discharges infections,

- idiopathic (genetic, developmental defects) - acquired vascular insufficiency, fever (childhood), head hypertension, CNS metabolic and toxic

conditions, brain tumor, drug and alcohol withdrawal, and allergies)

CELLULAR/ METABOLIC CHANGES PHYSIOLOGIC MANIFESTATION - when the integrity of the neuronal cell sensations, pallor, membrane is altered, the cell begins firing flushing, goose flesh with increased frequency and amplitude. pupillary dilation, When the intensity discharges reaches the and tachypnea. threshold, the neuronal firing spreads to

GROSS ANATOMICAL PHYSICAL CHANGES - involuntary movements may spread centrally and involve the entire limb, including one side of the face and lower extremities. the client also may exhibit changes in posture or spoken utterances

- epigastric sweating, (piloerection), tachycardia,

adjacent neurons, ultimately resulting to seizure. Inhibitory neurons in epilepsy have slow neuronal firing in the cortex, anterior thalamus, and basal ganglia. Once the inhibitory processes develop or the epileptogenic neurons are exhausted, the seizure stops then later events depress the CNS activity and impair consciousness

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

TONIC PHASE: - fall, loss of consciousness, yell or “tonic cry”, focal abnormalities, extension of arms, legs, and/or face, fingers and jaw clenched. AUTONOMIC SYMPTOMS location of the include increase in blood pressure, heart rate and bladder pressure, flushing, sweating, so that the increased salivation and bronchial secretion, be removed and apnea CLONIC PHASE: - muscles relax completely, then muscle tone returns which causes rhythmic jerking of head and body. POST-ICTAL PHASE: - biting of the tongue, cheek or lip, and urinary incontinence are common

LABORATORY FINDINGS - MRI may detect lesions in the brain, and cerebral degenerative changes - EEG may allow diagnosis of the type and occurring seizure. - SPECT may identify the epileptogenic zone area in the brain giving rise to seizures can surgically.

SEIZURE

COMPLICATIONS

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Hypoxic brain damage and mental retardation may follow repeated seizures Depression and anxiety may develop. Long-term social isolation may also occur