Understanding Seizures Trivia Quiz

Answer: Electrical

Electricity in the human body differs from the electricity we think of as running our machines. In very simple terms, in our bodies there is an attraction between neutrons, protons, and electrons that is generated by the chemicals we ingest, mostly through food such as oxygen, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and others.

These exchanges regulate our heart beat, signal our muscles, and are part of the functioning of the body. A sudden surge in electrical output in the brain can result in a seizure.

Answer: Psychological Non-Epileptic Seizures

Researchers have found that many of the non-epileptic seizures are psychological in nature. Although seizures can be caused by alcohol/drug abuse or high fevers, for instance, many have their roots in psychological issues. Some data suggests that many of those diagnosed with epilepsy are not properly diagnosed.

This can lead to inappropriate treatment and costs in time and money. PNES is often placed in a similar category with fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) as difficult to diagnose and treat and where there is controversy among professionals regarding whether or not the illness even exists.

A recent trend is to refer to the condition as 'spells' rather than epilepsy.

Answer: Primary Care Physician or Family Doctor

The Primary Care Physician is the best choice. One, the PCP can rule out any physical cause for the symptoms. Secondly, the PCP can make referral to qualified professionals for further evaluation and diagnosis and help in routing you through the myriad of services. In most cases the initial step is referral to a PCP who knows the patient best. The PCP may be able to rule out medication side effects, alcoholism, thyroid problems, depression, and vitamin deficiencies.

In preparation for the doctor's visit make a list of concerns, bring a list of medications, and ask questions until you understand.

Answer: Complex partial seizures have repetitive physical behaviors called automatisms

Simple partial seizures resemble absence seizures and may pass quickly and unnoticed. Complex partial seizure involve automatisms, non-purposeful, stereotyped, inappropriate and repetitive behaviors. In both there is temporary unawareness of situation or surroundings.

First aid for complex partial seizures is not to restrain the person, remove dangerous objects from the person's path, direct the person to sit down and guide them from dangerous situations. Use force only in an emergency to protect the person from immediate harm, such as walking in traffic. Do not approach a person who appears angry or combative. Remain with the person until he or she is fully alert.

Answer: Grand Mal Seizure

Although the term Grand Mal is no longer regarded as a scientific description of a certain type of seizure, it still remains as a part of the language.

During the tonic phase, the muscles stiffen, a vocalization like a cry or groan may occur, there may be a loss of consciousness, falls, and the sufferer may turn blue in the face.

During the clonic phase, the limbs begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically, while bending and relaxing at the elbows, hips, and knees. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops.

Consciousness returns slowly, and the person may be drowsy, confused, agitated, or depressed. During the seizure on occasion the tongue may be bitten and the individual may lose bowel and bladder control.

Answer: Make sure the head is protected and that there are no dangerous objects nearby

In most instances the seizure will pass in one to three minutes. Phoning 911 is premature as most seizures are short lived and are not an emergency. In some areas of the USA, an ambulance and emergency treatment could cost the seizure prone person thousands of dollars.

Never try to place anything in the mouth as you risk breaking teeth and perhaps suffering a nasty bite yourself.

The seizure must run its course. Trying to restrain the seizure is useless.

Answer: Loss of bladder/bowel control

The most dangerous condition for someone with epilepsy is convulsive status epilepticus, sometimes just referred to as status. Having more than one seizure in a short period of time may be a warning sign of status. This can be a fatal outcome of seizure activity and hospitalization is required. If initial treatment is not effective in breaking the cycle of seizures, the person may be placed in a medically induced coma.

Answer: To provide financial support for persons with epilepsy

Other entities are better equipped to provide ongoing financial support, if needed, to persons with epilepsy.

These goals are wide and far reaching. Not only do the goals recognize the need for improved treatment but they address the social isolation often experienced.

The list of accomplished people with epilepsy is long. Here are just a few:

Bud Abbott of Abbott and Costello fame.
Julius Caesar, of whom Shakespeare said 'he had the falling sickness'.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher.
Socrates, a philosopher.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who also incorporated persons with epilepsy in his novels.
Florence Johnson--track and field athlete who died in convulsive status epilepticus.

Answer: 3 out of a 1000

No less than three out of every thousand people have epilepsy. In some undeveloped countries this might rise to four per thousand. Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is most likely to occur in young children or the elderly but can occur at any age. It can also occur as a result of brain injury or surgery.

Answer: Children

Children are most likely to have absence seizures. The old name for this type of seizure was petit mal. In the case of complex absence seizures the individual may blink over and over, smack their lips, make chewing motions, or rub their fingers or hands together.

Absence seizures have an excellent chance of being controlled by anti-seizure medications. It is even possible for the seizures to disappear with maturity.

Answer: False

Having epilepsy and bearing a child involves more risk than an ordinary pregnancy, but, in general, the odds are greatly in favor of a normal birth.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation the majority of women with epilepsy can and do become pregnant but have certain risks that other women don't have. Over 90% of women with epilepsy who become pregnant have healthy babies.

Women with epilepsy have hormone-based issues. Estrogen increases the electrical activity of the brain, while progesterone has the reverse effects.

As far as possible, pregnancy should be planned as medical guidance is needed before, during, and after. A neurologist and an obstetrician with experience in epilepsy pregnancies should be consulted. Some anti-seizure medications are counter-indicated in this situation and need careful monitoring.

Answer: False

Each state or country may restrict driver licenses because of medical issues and epilepsy is not an exception. The most common requirement for people with epilepsy is that they have been seizure free for a specific period of time and are able to document a physician's evaluation of their ability to drive safely.

There may be periodic medical reports required. These laws and regulations greatly vary so it is important to check with local authorities if a move to a new governmental body is anticipated.

Answer: True

The statement is true but but with several caveats. Most children of people with epilepsy do not develop epilepsy. Since genes are passed down through families, it is possible. Less than 2% of people born of epilepsy parents develop seizures. Most children will not inherit epilepsy from a parent, but the chance of inheriting some types of epilepsy is higher, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

Answer: Need for skilled nursing care

All anti-seizure medications, along with medications used for other purposes, may have side effects. This depends on the medication prescribed, the type of seizure, and the patient's tolerance. For the most part, physical reactions to seizure medications occur in the early stages and can include blurry or double vision, fatigue, sleepiness, unsteadiness, stomach upset, and rashes but these often disappear as tolerance for the drug increases and with adjustments made during drug monitoring.

The psychological effects of anti-seizure medication are more subtle. The medicines that stop seizures also can affect how the brain works. Cognitive problems with thinking, remembering, concentrating, finding the right words, can be due to side effects of some seizure medicines. Some medicines may also affect a person's energy level, mood, and motivation. These problems may go away as tolerance increases.

Answer: True

According to Andrey Stojic, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital "Studies don't suggest that rare or moderate alcohol use causes any problems for people with epilepsy."

However, binge drinking and chronic alcoholism do not mix well with seizure medications. Often seizures do not occur during inebriation but during withdrawal. Alcohol decreases the effectiveness of seizure medications. Alcohol may cause sleep deprivation and trigger seizures.