Abnormal neurons undergo spontaneous firing
⅓ cases idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE): not attributed to specific cause
- First 6 months of life: severe birth injury, congenital defects involving the CNS, infection, inborn errors of metabolism
- 2-20 years: birth injury, infection, head trauma, genetic factors
- 20-30 years: structural lesions, trauma, brain tumor, vascular disease
- After 50 years: stroke, metastatic brain tumors non-motor
conscious
Typical: brief staring spell, less than 10 seconds, unresponsive during
Atypical: staring spell with eye blinking and jerking movements, longer than 10 seconds, changes in sensation, emotions, and thinking, autonomic symptoms, behavior arrest, myoclonus of specific body part, confusion, amnesia General: precipitating factors
Integumentary: tongue biting, cyanosis, diaphoresis
Respiratory: rate, rhythm, depth, apnea, airway obstruction
CV: HTN, tachy, brady
GI/GU: salvation, incontinence
Neuro: GCS, LOC, pupils, sensation
Musculoskeletal: weakness, paralysis, ataxia