Epilepsy and Seizure Management

For EMS Personnel

This product was developed with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under cooperative agreement number 5U58DP000606-05. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

This training is designed to:

Prepare EMS responders to recognize and respond appropriately to seizures caused by epilepsy or as a result of trauma or other acute or chronic illness.

A seizure is:
A sudden, brief disruption of the normal functioning of neurons in the brain

A seizure may appear as:

A sudden cry and fall, followed by Convulsive movements of all limbs Shallow/interrupted breathing - cyanosis Loss of bowel/bladder control Slow return to consciousness, postseizure confusion and/or fatigue This is a generalized tonic-clonic or grand mal seizure.

or a seizure may be

Blank staring, chewing, other repetitive purposeless movements Wandering, confusion, incoherent speech Crying, screaming, running, flailing A sudden loss of muscle tone and fall Picking at clothes, disrobing

This is one type of partial seizure known as a complex partial seizure.

Seizure Causes

High fever, especially in infants Drug use, alcohol withdrawal Near-drowning or lack of oxygen from another cause Metabolic disturbances Head trauma Brain tumor, infection, stroke Complication of diabetes or pregnancy

A common cause of seizures is epilepsy

Epilepsy (also known as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures that are not otherwise provoked by an acute injury or health emergency.

Epilepsy is not contagious, it is not a mental illness or a cognitive disability. The neurological dysfunction seen in epilepsy can begin at birth, childhood, adolescence, or even in adulthood.

Causes of epilepsy include:

Stroke

Brain tumor
Brain infection Past head injury

Over 3 million Americans of all ages have epilepsy.

Metabolic problems Other neurological conditions

Genetic factors

Epilepsy may occur with:

Cerebral palsy Cognitive impairments ADD/ADHD

Developmental disabilities Autism

 but the majority of people who have epilepsy do not have other impairments and live very normal lives.

In a generalized seizure the electrical disruption involves the entire brain.

Tonic-Clonic Seizure -grand mal

Loss of consciousness, fall and stiffening of limbs, followed by rhythmic shaking. Breathing may stop temporarily skin, nails, lips may turn blue Loss of bladder/bowel control may occur Generally lasts 1 to 3 minutes Followed by confusion, sleepiness

In a partial seizure the electrical disruption involves a limited area of the brain.

Simple Partial Seizure

Seizure activity in the brain causing:
Rhythmic
Sensory Psychic

isolated twitching of arms, face, legs

movements -

tingling, weakness, sounds, smells, tastes, feeling of upset stomach, visual distortions dj vu, hallucinations, feelings of fear or anxiety

symptoms -

symptoms -

Usually last less than one minute May precede a generalized seizure

Complex Partial Seizure

Characterized by altered awareness Confusion, inability to respond Automatic, purposeless behaviors such as picking at clothes, chewing or mumbling. Emotional outbursts May be confused with: Drunkenness or drug use Willful belligerence, aggressiveness

Anti-epileptic Medications

Depakote (Valproic acid) Felbatol (felbamate) Gabatril (tiagabine) Neurontin (gabapentin) Keppra (levetiracetam) Tegretol (carbamezepine) Lamictal (lamotrigine) Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Dilantin (phenytoin) Topamax (topiramate) phenobarbitol Zonegran (zonisamide) Lyrica (pregabalin)

Medications Chart

[This chart also found on pages 30 and 36 of the final Participants and Trainers Guides, respectively].

Medications Chart (cont.)

Surgical treatment
Factors influencing decision: Ability to identify focus of seizures Area of brain involved can be safely removed without resulting in a significant deficit Other treatments have been unsuccessful

Vagus Nerve Stimulator

An implanted device that sends regular, mild electrical pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve

May also be activated by an external magnet

Functioning of the VNS may be affected by the use of a taser device.
More information about the VNS can be found at: www.cyberonics.org

Patients with epilepsy may still have seizures due to:

Failure to take medication correctly

Variation in medication effectiveness Sleep deprivation Stress/ Illness Hypoglycemia/dehydration Alcohol/drug use or withdrawal Hormonal fluctuations Flashing lights or other triggers

Some epilepsy patients never achieve effective seizure control and may experience varying degrees of financial, social and legal problems.

DVD: A Guide to Seizure Management for Emergency Medical Responders

Pre-hospital Treatment Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Assure scene safety If trauma is not suspected, place patient in recovery position Protect head/limbs from injury Follow A B C protocol:

Maintain airway suction PRN Administer O2 Monitor cardio-respiratory status

During GTC seizure, assess for:

Traumatic injury Possible aspiration (seizure in water) Elderly, pregnant or diabetic patient

Check blood glucose

Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or occurring in a series

When present, activate ALS and/or rapidly transport to receiving facility

After the seizure stops:

Continue to monitor cardiorespiratory status Evaluate for injury Assess for return of consciousness/re-orient Obtain pertinent medical history and emergency contact information if possible

Activate ALS and/or rapidly transport to receiving facility if consciousness does not return, or confusion persists more than 20 minutes post-seizure

Question witnesses:
Description of seizure event Identifying information for patient, emergency contacts Prior history of seizures or other medical problems

After a first-time GTC seizure, or if there is another medical condition, medical evaluation is necessary to identify and treat the cause.

ALS response to a GTC seizure that has lasted longer than 5 minutes:
Per local protocols, administer meds to stop seizure activity:

Diazepam (Valium) IV or

Diastat rectal gel form * Midazolam (Versed) IV, IM, buccal or intranasal Lorazepam (Ativan) IV or IM

Support ventilation PRN

*For more information about Diastat see: www.diastatacudial.org

Options for Treating Repetitive Seizures

The only FDA-approved treatment for acute repetitive seizures is rectal Diastat, but nasal or buccal midazolam have been shown to be equally effective. Some services make arrangements to use alternate forms.*
These alternate methods are currently in a Phase 1 FDA clinical trial. (www.clinical trials.gov) with an estimated completion date of April 2012.
*

After stabilizing the patient, transport to receiving facility. Monitor vital signs. Report to ED the type and dose of seizure rescue medication that was administered.

Pre-hospital Treatment Complex Partial Seizure (CPS)

May be reported as drunkenness/illegal drug use medical conditions such as a stroke or diabetic reaction person acting strangely

Look for sudden loss of awareness and automatic, purposeless behaviors such as picking at clothes, chewing, mumbling or wandering.

Response to suspected complex partial seizure:

Approach cautiously, speak calmly Contain dont restrain Prevent from injuring self Look for medical ID, identifying information

Avoid triggering violent behavior by minimizing physical contact.

Post-ictal phase (post-seizure):

Monitor recovery, check blood glucose Re-orient to surroundings Evaluate for injury More in-depth history as appropriate

Activate ALS and/or rapidly transport to receiving facility if injury is present or if confusion persists over 20 minutes after seizure ends.

Question witnesses:
Description of seizure event Any known history of seizures? If possible, obtain medical history, ID and emergency contact information

After a first-time seizure, medical evaluation is necessary to identify and treat the cause.

Contact the Epilepsy Foundation for more information:

1-800-332-1000 www.epilepsyfoundation.org
Or Click Here to Contact your Local Epilepsy Foundation Affiliate