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Seizures are a symptom of some identifiable underlying cause or are idiopathic. Epilepsy is recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures may or may not be associated with convulsive activity. Correct classification of the seizure type helps to suggest etiology and treatment.
... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Febrile seizures occur in 3–4% of all children; they often do not require long-term treatment. Each year, between 25,000 and 40,000 children in the U.S. have a first unprovoked afebrile seizure. Most of these children will not have a second seizure and do not require prophylaxis. The... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Seizures in the newborn are often difficult to diagnose, because there may only be subtle manifestations. Any insult that affects the brain in this age group can present with seizures, thus the differential diagnosis is quite extensive. One also has to rule out several mimics such... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The thyroid brings to mind the tremor of Graves disease. The kidneys signify the tremor of uremia and electrolyte disturbances
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... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times per day, causing periods of inattention. Absence seizures usually begin between ages 4 and 12. Their... History and physical examination ... Medical causes
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... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but their incidence usually increases during adolescence and adulthood. Two... History ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures, however, this... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the irritable focus. Simple partial... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Central Nervous System and Vascular Causes
Cerebrovascular disease
Thrombosis
Embolism
Hemorrhage
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... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times a day, causing periods of inattention. Absence seizures usually begin between... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Patient counseling
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but incidence usually increases during adolescence and adulthood. Two... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures, however, this cerebral hyperactivity isn’t... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the irritable focus.... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
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... Linda M. Savory
Seizures are a common serious neurologic disorder in the outpatient setting. In the United States, approximately 4 million patients suffer at least one seizure and 2 million have suffered two or more.... Approach. ... History. ... Physical examination (PE) ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment.
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... Differential Overview
❑ Generalized (grand mal)
❑ Partial (focal)
❑ Complex partial (temporal lobe)
❑ ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures
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... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures, however, this cerebral hyperactivity isn’t... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but incidence usually increases during adolescence and adulthood. Two... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures, however, this cerebral... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the irritable focus... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A seizureis a sudden paroxysmal discharge of neurons that causes a transientalteration in neurologic function. This alteration can include changesin level of alertness, sensation, motor activity, and autonomicfunction. Commission on Classification and Terminology... Classification of Seizure Types ... Principal Causes of Seizures ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References
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... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times per day, causing periods of inattention. Absence seizures usually... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but their incidence usually increases during adolescence... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures, however, this cerebral hyperactivity isn't confined to the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don't alter the patient's level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the irritable focus. Simple partial seizures may be... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
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Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential
diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The
thyroid brings to mind the tremor of Graves disease. The
kidneys... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
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