Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

gastro-colic irritation, sexual intercourse, burns, ejaculation, menstruation, deep vein thrombosis, surgical procedures, skeletal trauma and contact with hard or sharp objects. Symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia are anxiety, apprehension, dilated pupils, state of confusion, high blood pressure, tachycardia, pounding headache, flushing of the skin, profuse sweating, dizziness, and nasal congestion. 6.2 Seizure Disorders Seizure disorders are characterized by the periodic disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain leading to either temporary or permanent dysfunction of the brain. Generally, there are two types of seizures: epileptic seizures and non-epileptic seizures. These are studied in detail below. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that is characterized by the disruption of activity in the nerve cells in the brain. Consequences of epilepsy are unusual behavior and sensations, unconsciousness, and seizures. The causes of epilepsy are congenital, head trauma, brain tumors, strokes, infectious diseases (meningitis, AIDS, and viral encephalitis), prenatal injuries, and developmental disorders like autism and neurofibromatosis. Signs and symptoms of epilepsy include a temporary state of confusion, staring spell, jerking movements of the arms and legs that get uncontrollable, loss of awareness, unconsciousness, and psychotic symptoms. Depending on the abnormality in the activity of brain, seizures can be categorized as focal seizures or generalized seizures. Focal Seizures Also known as partial seizures, focal seizures are the result of abnormality in activity in one particular part of the brain. Signs and symptoms of these seizures are neurological disorders like migraine, mental illness, or narcolepsy. Focal seizures can further be divided below: • Simple partial seizures: These are focal seizures in which the person remains conscious and involved during the involuntary jerking of any body part. Consequences of these seizures are alterations in emotions, feelings, and behavior with respect to look, smell, taste, and sound. Symptoms include tingling sensations, dizziness, and the appearance of flashing lights. • Complex partial seizures: Also known as focal dyscognitive seizures, the person with complex partial seizures suffers from a loss of consciousness in these seizures. The consequences of these seizures include abnormal response to the environment and repetitive movements like swallowing, chewing, rubbing hands, and walking in circles. Generalized Seizures These seizures affect the entire brain. These are categorized as the following: • Absence seizures: Also known as petit mal seizures, these are more common among children. Symptoms of absence seizures involve staring, blinking of the eyes frequently, and smacking of the lips. These normally occur in clusters and the affected person may suffer from brief unconsciousness.

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