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 OTHER NAMES
Epilepsy study. Electroencephalogram. CLASSIFICATION OF THE TYPES OF EPILEPSY
- Widespread convulsions: they affect everything or most of the brain.
- Partial convulsions: they affect only a portion of the brain.
The most frequent epilepsy appears in the shape of widespread convulsions that can appear in two forms:
- Widespread convulsions are tonic-clonal convulsions ("big evil").
- Crisis of "small evil".
The partial convulsions can appear like:
- Focal convulsions (the affected one is awake with movements or abnormal sensations)
- Complex partial convulsions (with movements or the abnormal sensations they go but with alterations of the conscience).
DIAGNOSIS
The first thing that must be done is to gather a record with the symptoms presented by the patient and that cyclical convulsions are compatible with an epilepsy picture, that is to say ó appellants of any type (to See the handlebar on the Epilepsy). Later a physical examination is realized, together with a detailed neurological examination, which can turn out to be normal or can show located anomalies of the functions of the brain.
COMPLEMENTARY EXPLORATIONS
- The electroencephalogram (EEG), which realizes a reading of the electrical activity of the brain, normally can discriminate against the presence of several types of convulsions. Also it can indicate the place of the injury that is causing the convulsions. It is necessary to bear in mind that a normal EEG does not discard a convulsive disorder.
- Blood test.
- Finished Hematimetría and VSG
- General biochemist
- You try hepatic function
- You try renal function
- Examinations for infectious illnesses
- Analysis of the spinal liquid, after lumbar puncture
- Radiological explorations:
- Scaner (TAC) of head
- Nuclear magnetic head resonance
DISTINGUISHING DIAGNOSIS OF EPILEPSY
Across the complementary studies there can discard other pictures that they study temporarily with convulsions as they can be:
- Fever
- Temporary chemical imbalances
- Toxemia of the pregnancy
- Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol or drugs - benzodiazepinas and barbiturate.
- Use of illegal drugs
- Accident isquémico transitory
- Attacks of anger or panic
- Quakes or tics (abnormal muscular movements that are not caused by abnormal cerebral electrical activity).
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