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group_3_presentation_1_-_epilepsy-_childhood_absence_epilepsy [2017/02/03 12:37] javedaa |
group_3_presentation_1_-_epilepsy-_childhood_absence_epilepsy [2017/02/03 12:38] javedaa |
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| **Tonic-clonic seizures:** this type of generalized seizures has two phases associated with it. First is the tonic phase in which the individual’s muscles will tighten and then they will lose consciousness. Second is the clonic phase where the individual’s muscles will contract and relax in a rhythmic fashion. These seizures typically last for 1 to 3 minutes, however if prolonged to over 5 minutes this becomes a medical emergency. (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Devinsky & Sirvin, 2013) | **Tonic-clonic seizures:** this type of generalized seizures has two phases associated with it. First is the tonic phase in which the individual’s muscles will tighten and then they will lose consciousness. Second is the clonic phase where the individual’s muscles will contract and relax in a rhythmic fashion. These seizures typically last for 1 to 3 minutes, however if prolonged to over 5 minutes this becomes a medical emergency. (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Devinsky & Sirvin, 2013) | ||
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| **Childhood Absence Epilepsy Symptoms:** | **Childhood Absence Epilepsy Symptoms:** | ||
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| **Laboratory tests:** Physicians may request a blood sample from patients to look into whether they may have a genetic condition, toxin, or infection leading to the onset of the seizures (Mayo Clinic, 2017). The blood test can also help to determine if the seizures are merely a byproduct of another disease, such as diabetes. | **Laboratory tests:** Physicians may request a blood sample from patients to look into whether they may have a genetic condition, toxin, or infection leading to the onset of the seizures (Mayo Clinic, 2017). The blood test can also help to determine if the seizures are merely a byproduct of another disease, such as diabetes. | ||
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| + | **Childhood Absence Epilepsy Diagnosis:** | ||
| To diagnose childhood absence epilepsy, physicians will start off with asking the caregiver about the history of the symptoms being presented and any other associated health problems (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). They will then proceed in a physical examination to see if there is any bodily damage that could be leading to the seizures (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). An electroencephalogram (EEG) on the child’s brain activity is essential in detecting the presence of seizures. The child will be diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy if there is generalized neuronal activity at 3 Hz spike and wave discharges as indicated by the EEG (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). This 3 Hz spike is caused by a depolarization via excessive excitatory neuronal activity among pyramidal cells in cortical structures (McCormick & Contreras, 2001). In order to study the child’s seizure episodes with the EEG or to merely observe their symptoms, the child will be asked to intentionally hyperventilate (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). Hyperventilation has been shown to induce an absence seizure in most children diagnosed with CAE (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). CT and MRI scans appear to be normal in these patients, indicating that there doesn’t appear to be anatomical damage or abnormalities in the brains of these children (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). | To diagnose childhood absence epilepsy, physicians will start off with asking the caregiver about the history of the symptoms being presented and any other associated health problems (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). They will then proceed in a physical examination to see if there is any bodily damage that could be leading to the seizures (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). An electroencephalogram (EEG) on the child’s brain activity is essential in detecting the presence of seizures. The child will be diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy if there is generalized neuronal activity at 3 Hz spike and wave discharges as indicated by the EEG (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). This 3 Hz spike is caused by a depolarization via excessive excitatory neuronal activity among pyramidal cells in cortical structures (McCormick & Contreras, 2001). In order to study the child’s seizure episodes with the EEG or to merely observe their symptoms, the child will be asked to intentionally hyperventilate (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). Hyperventilation has been shown to induce an absence seizure in most children diagnosed with CAE (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). CT and MRI scans appear to be normal in these patients, indicating that there doesn’t appear to be anatomical damage or abnormalities in the brains of these children (Holmes & Fisher, 2013). | ||
