Understanding Seizure Classification 🧠

Hey future doctors! 👋 Let's dive into the fascinating world of seizure classification. 🩺✨

Seizures can be classified based on their onset and characteristics. Here's a quick breakdown:

1️⃣ Focal Onset Seizures

• Aware: Consciousness intact.
• Impaired Awareness: Consciousness affected.
• Motor Onset: Involves movement.
• Non-Motor Onset: No movement.
• 🧠 May progress to focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

2️⃣ Generalised Onset:

• Motor: Includes tonic-clonic seizures.
• Non-Motor: Includes absence seizures.

3️⃣ Unknown Onset: When the onset is unclear.
4️⃣ Unclassified: Seizures that don't fit into the above categories.

🔑 Key Factors in Classification:

• Awareness: Is the patient conscious during the seizure?
• Motor Involvement: Are there movements (e.g., jerking)?

🩺 Tip: Always ask about aura symptoms—they can hint at focal onset!

📌 Risk Factors for Seizures:

• Genetic predisposition 🧬
• Brain injuries 🧠
• Infections (e.g., meningitis) 🦠
• Stroke 🩸
• Metabolic imbalances ⚖️
• Substance abuse 🚬🍷

Knowing these helps with diagnosis & prevention!

🔍 Why Classification Matters:

• Knowing seizure types helps:
• Choose the right meds 💊
• Identify underlying causes 🧠
• Guide patient education 🗣️
• 🚨 Did you know carbamazepine can worsen absence seizures?

🤔 Quick Quiz!

A patient has brief lapses in awareness without movement. What seizure type is this?

⬇️ Drop your answers below!

t. Keep learning and stay curious! 📚💡

🤔 Thought Prompt:

How does seizure classification influence your management? Would your treatment plan differ for focal vs generalised onset?