A seizure is the transient occurance of abnormal neuronal acitivity in the brain - can manifest as distrubances in consciousness, behaviour, cognition, emotion, motor function, sensation

Epilepsy: a neurological disorder where a person experiences recurrent seizures

Isolated seizure: caused by toxic, metabolic, structural, infectios factors

Differential diagnosis

• Epilepsy
• Trauma/bleed to the brain
• Metabolic:
  • hypoglycaemia
  • hypoxia
  • electrolye abnormalities
• migraine
• Febrile convulsions
• Alcohol withdrawl seizures
• psychogenic non-epileptic episodes (pseudoseizures)
• Seizure threshold lowering drugs
  • Antibiotics: Imipenem, penicillins, cephalosporins, metronidazole, isoniazid
  • Antipsychotics
  • Antidepressents: Bupropion, Tricyclics, Venlafaxine
  • Tramadol
  • Fentanyl
  • Ketamine
  • Lidocaine
  • Lithium
  • Antihistamines

Vasovagal episodes vs seizures:

• Syncopal episodes are associated with a rapid recovery and short post-ictal period.
• Seizures are associated with a far greater post-ictal period

History

• Symptoms experienced before and after the seizure