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Seizure Disorders
Definitions
Condition of the central nervous system characterized by recurring misfiring of neurons
-upset in the electrical activity within the brain
Incidence
48 out of every 1000 people
1 in 26 over a lifetime
Age of first seizures: 47% before age 10; 30% in second decade of life
Incidence much higher with certain disabilities
Incidence, cont.
Etiology
Idiopathic: means cause is unknown. 65-75% fall under this category
Acquired: birth injury, brain tumor, lead poisoning, infections, head trauma, high fever, etc.
Terminology: tonic/clonic
Seizures may be accompanied by sudden, uncontrolled, and unpredictable muscle contractions and relaxation
Tonic and clonic contractions
tonic means continuous sti and rigid movements
clonic means intermittent/ jerky
Types: Generalized (produced by entire brain)
Generalized: Tonic-clonic
Also called Grand Mal seizure
Can occur in four stages:
Aura (warning or premonition)
Tonic (constant, continuous muscle contractions
Clonic (intermittent contraction and relaxation
Sleep or coma phase (can last up to 3 hrs.)
Generalized: absence seizure
Partial or focal seizures: one area of brain
Simple Partial: 30-60 sec., no loss of consciousness, sudden jerking, sensory phenomena, transient weakness or
loss of sensation
Complex Partial: 1-2 minutes; may have aura, automatisms (such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, fumbling),
unaware of environment, may wander, amnesia for seizure event, mild to moderate confusion during, sleepyhttp://

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Complex Partial: 1-2 minutes; may have aura, automatisms (such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, fumbling),
unaware of environment, may wander, amnesia for seizure event, mild to moderate confusion during, sleepyhttp://
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/seizures/partialseizures/index.cfm)
A Moment in History
Psychomotor seizure (one type of complex partial): unexplained short-term changes in behavior resulting in
amnesia and impaired consciousness
Factors that can aggravate seizure disorders
Hyperventilation
Hyperhydration
Hyperthermia
Fatigue
Stress
Excessive alcohol and caeine
Lights
Menstrual cycle
Treatment
Medication
Surgery

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Vegas nerve therapy

Management of Seizures
Clear the area
Dont restrain individual; loosen clothing if possible and provide a pillow or jacket
Turn the individual to the side
Dont administer CPR unless breathing does not resume
Be reassuring and calm
Observe for a full medical report
Call 911 if first seizure, seizure lasts longer than 5 min., seizures are repeated, if the person does not resume
breathing, injury occurs, or if person is a diabetic or pregnant. If in doubt, call.
If in the pool, manage seizure by keeping head above water and then transporting out of pool. Dont transport first.
Educate others!
Implications for physical activity

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If in the pool, manage seizure by keeping head above water and then transporting out of pool. Dont transport first.
Educate others!
Implications for physical activity
AMA recommends full participation with the following guidelines:
Caution with collision sports
Potential for falls
Water sports
Images/sources
http://hplusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/neuron_structure2.jpg
http://old.epilepsyfoundation.org/local/kentuckiana/images/neurons_about_1.jpg
http://www.uic.edu/classes/pmpr/pmpr652/Final/scannedimages/14-2.gif
http://images.google.com/imgres?q=high+fever
+cartoon&num=10&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=573&tbm=isch&tbnid=QJSy7hB3w2MgbM:&imgrefurl=http://
palwai.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/page/2/&docid=fx2pav5yDYMkhM&imgurl=http://
palwai.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/cartoon-sick-man-thumb6455562.jpg&w=300&h=287&ei=_-l4UIcEYOvyQGulIDQBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=374&vpy=140&dur=4068&hovh=220&hovw=230&tx=117&ty=114&sig
=114549608842988981552&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=148&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:74
http://images.google.com/imgres?q=fever+tonic
+clonic&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=573&tbm=isch&tbnid=6Spb3Kd455PzHM:&imgrefurl=http://www.umm.edu/
patiented/articles/grand_mal_seizure_000302.htm&docid=8LtHG_b9hbvF5M&imgurl=http://www.umm.edu/
graphics/images/en/
19076.jpg&w=400&h=320&ei=tOt4UNvwMLGgyAG3loCoBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=102&vpy=149&dur=7963&ho
vh=201&hovw=251&tx=130&ty=86&sig=114549608842988981552&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=175&start=0&ndsp=
14&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:68
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/types-of-seizures-their-symptoms
http://images.google.com/imgres?
q=swimming&num=10&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=wPd4dX_2FUvTPM:&imgrefurl=http://
taraathatcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/swimming-great-way-to-mix-upyour.html&docid=V64COhDcBN5AlM&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TECPBnCaVOo/TMdE_C53pPI/
AAAAAAAAAm0/bx2nuX9Fuwc/s1600/
swimming.jpg&w=800&h=543&ei=8rWFUJe6HoGTiQLxiIHICg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=593&vpy=195&dur=5732&h
ovh=185&hovw=273&tx=81&ty=204&sig=114549608842988981552&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=222&start=0&ndsp
=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:143
Images/souces, cont.
http://medicineworld.org/images/blogs/1-2009/brain-epilepsy-4040.jpg

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http://images.google.com/imgres?
q=swimming&num=10&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=wPd4dX_2FUvTPM:&imgrefurl=http://
taraathatcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/swimming-great-way-to-mix-upyour.html&docid=V64COhDcBN5AlM&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TECPBnCaVOo/TMdE_C53pPI/
AAAAAAAAAm0/bx2nuX9Fuwc/s1600/
swimming.jpg&w=800&h=543&ei=8rWFUJe6HoGTiQLxiIHICg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=593&vpy=195&dur=5732&h
ovh=185&hovw=273&tx=81&ty=204&sig=114549608842988981552&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=222&start=0&ndsp
=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:143
Images/souces, cont.
http://medicineworld.org/images/blogs/1-2009/brain-epilepsy-4040.jpg
http://blog.mypersonalcarephysician.com/health-news/preventing-injuries-in-youth-sports/
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-statistics