Epilepsy, commonly known as “sheep epilepsy”. The main manifestations of epilepsy are seizure disorders, convulsions, sensory, motor, psychiatric abnormalities or vegetative dysfunction. If the generalized convulsions occur frequently within a short period of time, resulting in continuous unconsciousness during the interval, it is called persistent status epilepticus, often accompanied by high fever, dehydration, leukocytosis and acidosis, etc. The triggering factors include: fever, fatigue, hunger, constipation, alcohol consumption, shock, cold, emotional impulse, etc.
Daily life care.
1. Develop good living habits, rest on time, ensure sufficient sleep, and avoid overwork. Have a regular diet, eat every meal on time, avoid hunger and overeating.
2, for patients who have had tonic – spastic seizures do not drink too much water at a time to avoid triggering.
3, eat light, easily digestible, nutritious food, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid spicy and other stimulating food, quit smoking and alcohol. Avoid getting cold, rain and showering with too cold and too hot water.
4.The seizure has been controlled, the symptoms are relieved, no mental abnormalities can be appropriate activities and work. However, it is not advisable to engage in dangerous work such as working at height, on water, by the fireside, driving or in high-voltage electrical rooms, or to participate in strenuous sports and heavy physical labor. Try to avoid certain idiosyncratic factors, such as flashing lights, music, fright, etc.; reduce sound and light stimulation, you can use curtains, filters, etc.; do not go to radiation or ok hall and other bad places, maintain a quiet environment.
5, more frequent seizures, should be limited to indoor activities, if necessary, bed rest and add guardrails to prevent bruises. If you have an aura of seizure, find a safe place to lie down as soon as possible and bite gauze or handkerchief between your upper and lower teeth. Carry a disease treatment card with you to facilitate timely rescue and treatment in case of seizures.
6. Once the diagnosis of epilepsy is confirmed, insist on taking medication for 2 to 5 years without interruption. To prevent forgetting, place the medication in a fixed place and take it at a fixed time every day.
Care during seizures.
1. Lie the patient down with the head on one side, try to make the saliva or vomit flow out of the mouth to prevent asphyxia and aspiration pneumonia. Untie the collar and trouser belt to facilitate the smooth flow of the respiratory tract.
2, pay attention to the patient’s safety, to remove the patient from places with fire, water, heat, electrical appliances and other dangers. Prevent injuries and accidents.
3.Fold the towel or handkerchief into strips or use gauze wrapped chopsticks to insert between the upper and lower molars to prevent tongue bite.
4. Do not press the patient’s limbs hard to prevent fracture or dislocation.
5. For some patients with psychomotor seizures of automatism, prevent them from self-injury, injury or destruction of objects.
Drug treatment.
1, first with a single drug and start treatment from a small dose, can not be controlled and then gradually increase the amount or change the drug and the combination of drugs.
The first thing you need to do is to start with a single drug and start with a small dose. The discontinuation process should take no less than 3 months.
The most common antiepileptic drugs are those that are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
The most commonly used antiepileptic drugs are phenytoin sodium, carbamazepine and sodium valproate, but attention should be paid to their indications and side effects.
(1) Phenytoin sodium is the drug of choice for antiepileptic grand mal seizures and limited seizures, there may be early allergic reactions such as rash with fever, if it occurs, the dose should be temporarily stopped, wait for the reaction to subside and then try again with caution, such as the occurrence of exfoliative dermatitis, swollen lymph nodes need to be withdrawn. Gastrointestinal reactions (such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia), insomnia and hair growth can also occur, which generally do not affect the treatment and should be taken after meals to reduce symptoms.
(2) Carbamazepine is the drug of choice for patients with psychomotor seizures. Drowsiness, vertigo, diplopia and leukopenia may occur during the course of medication, which should be reported to the doctor and reviewed regularly for blood picture (monthly) and liver and kidney function (quarterly).
(3) Sodium valproate, mostly used for all types of epilepsy in which other antiepileptic drugs are ineffective. Gastrointestinal reactions are common, and hepatotoxicity occurs in a few cases. If reactions such as malaise, drowsiness, nausea and epigastric discomfort are found, they should be reported to the doctor for treatment.