GRAND MAL EPILEPSY

grand mal epilepsy ,cause,symptoms and signs ....treatment,decorticate posture

1. GRAND MAL EPILEPSY PRESENTED BY MUHAMMAD USMAN SOHBAN

2. EPILEPSY :- Uncontrolled excessive activity of either part or all of the central nervous system.

3. CLASSIFICATION Two types :- LOCALIZED EPILEPSY :- Epilepsy that occurs because of excessive discharge of impulses from one part of the brain is called localized epilepsy.

4. GENERALIZED EPILEPSY :- Epilepsy that occurs due to excessive discharge of impulses from all parts of brain is called as generalized epilepsy.

5. Generlized epilepsy is further classified into :- Grand Mal Epilepsy Petit Mal Epilepsy Psychomotor Epilepsy

6. GRAND MAL EPILEPSY:- It is characterized by extreme nuronal discharges/abnormal electric activity in all areas of the brain i.e Cerebral cortex Deeper parts of cerebellum Brain stem

7. Grand mal seizures have two stages. Tonic phase .   Loss of consciousness occurs, and the muscles suddenly contract and cause the person to fall down. This phase tends to last about 10 to 20 seconds. Clonic phase .   The muscles go into rhythmic contractions, alternately flexing and relaxing. Convulsions usually last for less than two minutes

8. signs and symptoms DECORTICATE POSTURE !!!!!!!! Aura. (   warning feeling just like numbness) Tounge bite Loss of bowel and bladder control Unresponsiveness after convulsions Confusion Fatigue Severe headache

9. Decorticate posture The first is the disinhibition of the  red nucleus  with facilitation of the  rubrospinal tract .  The rubrospinal tract overweighs the  medial and lateral vestibulospinal   and pontine reticulospinal tract and thus causes flextion of upper limbs. T he corticospinal tract is interrupted. the pontine reticulospinal and the medial and lateral vestibulospinal biased extension tracts greatly overwhelm the medullary reticulospinal biased flexion tract.

10. CAUSES Abnormal, rhythmic nerve cell (neuron) activity in the brain. However, grand mal seizures are sometimes caused by underlying health problems, such as: Heriditary predisposition

11. Very low blood levels of glucose, sodium, calcium or magnesium Traumatic head injuries Using or withdrawing from drugs, including alcohol Brain tumors Strokes Infections, such as encephalitis or meningitis, or history of such infection Injury due to a previous lack of oxygen Blood vessel malformations in the brain Genetic syndromes (in most people )

12. Risk factors A family history of seizure disorders Any injury to the brain from trauma, stroke, previous infection and other causes Sleep deprivation Medical problems that affect electrolyte balance Illicit drug use Heavy alcohol use

13. Tests and diagnosis Neurological exam :- Reflexes Muscle tone Muscle strength Sensory function Gait Posture Coordination Balance

14. Blood tests and scans MRI (EEG)

15. Treatments and drugs Treatment usually involves the use of anti-seizure medications. Valproic acid  Zonisamide etc