Introduction absence seizures

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Reference no: EM133836314

Assignment:

What would be an appropriate response to a post such as this?

General Types-Common and Uncommon Seizures Introduction Absence seizures, although more commonly referred to petit mal seizure and other usual terms, are one of the seizing types common to childhood to adolescence. Characteristically a seizure is made up with some brief lapses in the level of awareness, incidents so easily passed unnoticed or still unassuming as a factor of reveries. Absence seizure may now be defined as a diffused seizure on both aspects because it is generalized to another cerebral aspect otherwise known as hemisphere. They are most common in children between the ages of 4 and 14 and can occur frequently, sometimes dozens to hundreds of times a day (Lee, 2010).

Causes

The exact cause is not fully known, but a number of factors may be involved in absence seizures. Genetics are significant, with these types of seizures often running in families. Abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, especially in the thalamus and cortical regions, are associated with these seizures. Triggers such as hyperventilation, stress, or fatigue can precipitate an absence seizure (Nelson et al., 2021).

Manifestation

During the absence seizure, the child may "zone out" for 10 to 20 seconds. The child may stop talking mid-sentence, stare off, or blink eyes repetitively. Absence seizures do not involve convulsions like other seizure types, and they do not include postictal confusion. Children are usually unaware that they have had a seizure and simply continue activities as if nothing has occurred. However, frequent episodes interfere with learning and social interaction since these lapses may disturb the ability to process information effectively as noted by Lee, (2010).

Possible Treatments

Absence seizures are usually treated with the antiepileptic medications ethosuximide, valproic acid, or lamotrigine. Ethosuximide is the first choice because it is highly effective with generally mild adverse effects. Valproic acid may be considered in cases of intractable seizures or when there are other seizure types in addition to absence seizures (Stahl, 2021).

In cases where medications are ineffective, alternative treatments may include:

Dietary Therapies: It consists of high-fat and low-carbohydrate dieting, and many consider that such a diet has proved very effective in reducing seizures in some children.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): This is an implantation technique that sends stimulation to the vagus nerve itself, which reduces seizure activity.
Surgical Interventions: Surgical interventions can be tried in rare cases, but usually, this option is reserved for focal seizures rather than generalized absence seizures.

Impact on Development

Seizure absence most especially affects development, particularly in the critical periods of learning. The frequency of seizures makes cognitive interruption occur to further cause impairment in attention, memory, and retention. With time, this may result in delay problems at school and sometimes social development whereby such children have difficulties keeping up with others their age and making meaningful friendships.

Risks and Benefits of Treatments

Each treatment option comes with its own risks and benefits:

Medications: Though antiepileptic medications work quite effectively for most children, they may cause quite considerable side effects: from drowsiness, gastrointestinal upsets to changing the mood of the patients. The long-term intake of valproic acid includes potential liver toxicity and gain of body weight.
Dietary Therapies: The ketogenic diet is quite highly restrictive, thus difficult to follow continuously, although effective for some. It can also result in nutritional deficiencies if not monitored and well managed.
VNS and Surgery: These options are usually for severe or refractory cases, considering that the procedures are invasive and possibly complicated by infection or malfunction of the device.

In conclusion, absence seizures are a very manageable condition once appropriately diagnosed and treated. However, the sooner it is intervened with the better to minimize disruptions to overall development. Medications tend to be effective in many individuals, but families have to balance out the risk versus benefits among a range of treatment options and weigh the benefits between quick seizure control and developmental aspects over time.

Please provide references for further research, thank you for your time.

Reference no: EM133836314

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