Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures. It affects about 1% of people worldwide and nearly 80% of cases occur in developing countries. Epileptic seizures are caused by excessive neuronal activity in the brain and can vary from brief episodes to long periods of shaking. While the cause is unknown in most cases, epilepsy can sometimes be caused by brain injury, stroke, tumors or genetic mutations. Treatment involves medication to control seizures in about 70% of patients, while surgery or other options may be considered for uncontrolled cases.

1. Epilepsy
is a group of neurological disorders characterized by epileptic seizures.
Student: Saad Dahleh
201111253

2. Facts Regarding Epilepsy
• About 1% of people worldwide have
epilepsy.
• Nearly 80% of cases occur in developing
countries.
• Epilepsy becomes more common as
people age.
• In many areas of the world those with
epilepsy either have their ability to drive
restricted or disallowed.

3. Epileptic seizures
• Epileptic seizures are the result of excessive and
abnormal cortical nerve cell activity in the brain.
• They are called “Epileptic episodes” that can vary from brief and
nearly undetectable to long periods of vigorous shaking.
• Seizures tend to recur, and have no immediate underlying cause.
• while seizures that occur due to a specific cause are not deemed to
represent epilepsy.

4. Types Of Epilepsy ( Major Seizures )
• Tonic-clonic seizures: In this seizure, the muscles usually stiffen and
the casualty may fall. There will be recurring rhythmic jerking
movement and mental confusion.
• Absence seizure: This is frequent in children and allows the casualty
to ‘go blank’ for a short period of time. In this case, the person will
just glare with their eyelids flickering. This is not often noticeable by
people.
• Tonic seizure: The body becomes stiff and the casualty may fall. This
may lead to injury; however, the seizure is often short-lived.

5. Types Of Epilepsy ( Minor Seizures )
• Atonic seizure: The person falls suddenly due to loss of muscle tone.
The person will recover rapidly from this seizure.
• Myclonic: A muscle or group of muscles may initiate sudden jerks like
shocks, usually in the upper part of the body.

6. Types Of Epilepsy (Partial Seizures )
• Partial seizures do not affect the brain completely and only affect a specific
region of the brain. The signs and symptoms vary according to the area and
are often short ( 4 min ) the person may feel confused and drowsy after the
seizure and will have no memory regarding the seizure he experienced.
1. Simple partial seizure: The casualty will be conscious, however, he may
experience unusual feelings of pins and needles and have an odd taste
and smell with taste hallucinations.
2. Complex partial seizure: The person remains conscious but his conscious
state may be altered. The person may feel ‘spaced out’, confused or
exhibit unusual behavior such as making chewing movements, odd
sounds and fixing his clothes repeatedly.

7. The Diagnosis
• Epilepsy can often be confirmed with an
electroencephalogram (EEG) but a normal
tests do not rule out the disease.
• Typically involves ruling out other conditions
that might cause similar symptoms such
as syncope.
• Additionally it involves determining other
causes of seizures are present such as alcohol
withdrawal or electrolyte problems.

8. The Cause Epilepsy
• The cause of most cases of epilepsy is unknown, although some
people develop epilepsy as the result of:
1. Brain injury.
2. Stroke.
3. Brain tumor.
4. Drugs & Alcohol misuse.
5. Genetic mutations.

9. Treatment
• Seizures are controllable with medication in about 70% of cases.
• In those whose seizures do not respond to medication:
1. Surgery
2. Neurostimulation
3. Dietary changes may be considered.

10. First Aid ( Stabilizing The Victim)
1. Remain calm and stay with the person.
2. Sudden jerking movements and falls may lead to
serious injury therefore; make sure the person is safe
by clearing the area of any hard or sharp objects.
3. Rolling a person with an active tonic-clonic seizure
onto their side and into the recovery position helps
prevent fluids from getting into the lungs.
4. Place something under the casualty’s head and loosen
tight clothing, Place pillows and cushions if possible.
5. The medic should NOT!!:
• Put fingers, a bite block or tongue depressor in the mouth.
• Move or hold the person unless required.
• Force anything, including pills into the casualty’s mouth.

11. First Aid (Observing The Victim)
1. Time the duration of the seizure.
2. Stay with the casualty till he recovers; this may take about 20 minutes or more.
3. Try to avoid public humiliation of the person if you are not alone with the
casualty.
4. If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if there are more than two seizures in
an hour without a return to normal between them it is considered a medical
emergency known as status epilepticus, This may require medical help to keep
the airway open and protected. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA): is a tube that is
inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airway.
5. At Home Midazolam is usually placed in the mouth commonly used with
children, Other medications such as phenytoin, benzodiazepines,
lorazepam are recommended.

12. Common Mistakes
• Freaking out!!
• No good ever comes out form that.
• Inserting your finger or a bit block to prevent tongue swallowing
• Result in biting the finger or collecting vomit.
• Restricting the movement of the victim.
• Result in getting injured yourself, breaking bone, Torn muscles.
• Not clearing a floor or removing hard objects from the surrounding
• Self injury falling from the surface.
• Forgetting to place a cushion or soft object below the head.
• Head injuries may occur due to the Jerking.
• Leaving the victim unconscious to do something else.
• You must always stay with the victim.
• Publicly humiliating the victim or being ashamed of what happened.
• Creating a mental after effect that may grow into a sever case leading to suicide.