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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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How Much Do You Know About Seizures?

A seizure is an uncontrolled electrical discharge from brain cells. It causes mental and physical symptoms. Epilepsy is a group of long-term (chronic) conditions in which a person has unprovoked, recurring seizures. Find out more about epilepsy and seizures by taking this quiz. It is based on information from the Epilepsy Foundation.

1. The symptoms of a seizure may differ from person to person, but seizures are caused by the same thing:

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If an electroencephalogram (EEG) is done when there is seizure activity, the change is seen as unusual bursts of energy. These bursts can occur in one area of the brain or throughout the brain. The symptoms of the seizure depend on the part of the brain affected. Seizures that happen in just one area (localized) are called simple partial seizures. They remain in one part of the brain. They don't greatly affect consciousness. Complex partial seizures begin in one part of the brain, but spread to other parts. They can affect consciousness. Generalized seizures involve the entire brain from the beginning. They usually affect consciousness. They may cause muscle jerking. Normal brain function does not return until these bursts of energy have stopped and the brain has had time to recover. Seizures can occur while a person is awake, or while a person is sleeping.

A. A sudden change in how brain cells send electrical signals to one anotherB. A sudden change in how the spinal cord and brain talk to each otherC. A sudden change in blood flow in the brainD. A sudden change in oxygen flow in the body

2. Seizures can be caused by:

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Many severe injuries and illnesses, such as a tumor, infection, or stroke, can cause seizures. Some genetic conditions may cause epilepsy. Often, no definite cause for the seizures can be found. When seizures continue on a chronic basis without a clear, underlying cause, the condition is called epilepsy.

A. Brain injury that left scar tissue or other damageB. Infection that left scar tissue in or caused other damage to the brainC. Exposure to a toxic substanceD. Gene that does not work correctlyE. All of the above

3. Epilepsy is most likely to begin in which age group?

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Epilepsy is often thought of as a childhood condition, but it can develop at any age. About 3 in 10 cases develop in early childhood and in the teen years. People older than 65 also are more at risk for epilepsy.

A. Early childhoodB. AdolescenceC. Middle ageD. Age over 65E. A, B and D

4. A person with epilepsy needs how much extra sleep a night?

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You often don't need extra sleep if you have epilepsy. But you should try to get enough sleep each night. If you stay up late several nights in a row, you greatly increase your risk of having a seizure. Healthcare providers often ask their patients to stay up late before having an EEG exam because a lack of sleep increases the chances that seizure activity will show up during the exam. Talk with your healthcare provider if you feel tired even with enough sleep. Your medicine dose may need to be changed.

A. 1 hourB. 2 hoursC. 3 hoursD. No extra sleep

5. Which statement about driving with epilepsy is true?

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Each state's rules are different. But they often require that you be seizure-free for a specific amount of time before you are allowed to drive. Some states require a healthcare provider's note. You should become familiar with the rules in your state. Keep in mind that they may change over time. You can safely drive a motor vehicle if your seizures are under control.

A. All states have the same driving limits for people with epilepsyB. People with epilepsy have no driving limitsC. Federal law governs driving limits for people with epilepsyD. None of the above

6. Although exercise is good for people with epilepsy, some sports may be dangerous. Which of these sports falls in that area?

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Mountain climbing is risky both because of the danger of falling if you have a seizure and because the thinner air at higher altitudes can put you at greater risk for a seizure. Swimming and other water sports are risky because you can drown if you lose consciousness. Contact sports like football can put you at risk for brain trauma. That can make seizures worse. Other sports to avoid include skydiving and hang gliding. People with epilepsy should exercise with caution when the weather is very hot. That's because high heat and dehydration can trigger seizures.

A. Mountain climbingB. SwimmingC. FootballD. All of the above

7. Alcohol can be dangerous for a person with epilepsy because:

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Alcohol can be dangerous when taken with sedatives such as phenobarbital. Mixing alcohol with these medicines can lead to coma or death. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase the risk for seizures. Even having a drink or two a day (moderate drinking) may affect you. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if your medicine or your condition may cause a problem if you drink.

A. It can interfere with medicine used to control seizuresB. It can cause seizuresC. It can cause a heart attackD. A and B

8. How does a healthcare provider diagnose epilepsy?

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One of the most important factors in diagnosing epilepsy is a person's history of seizures. The EEG may see brain wave patterns that may mean seizures. A PET scan may help the doctor find out which areas of the brain are affected by the seizures, but it is not needed for the diagnosis. Other imaging tests such as MRI are more often used to find areas of the brain that may have been previously damaged or to find growths that might be causing the seizures.

A. History or description of seizuresB. A test called an electroencephalogram (EEG)C. A test called positron emission tomography (PET)D. A and B

9. Which is the most common treatment for epilepsy?

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Anti-epileptic or anticonvulsant medicines are the most common treatments for epilepsy. These medicines can prevent seizures from occurring. They must be taken carefully to keep the correct level of the medicine in the body to prevent seizures. If medicine does not work, healthcare providers may turn to surgery, a special ketogenic diet, or an implanted device that stimulates the vagus nerve leading to the brain.

A. SurgeryB. Special dietC. MedicationD. An implanted electrical device

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Campellone, Joseph, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN

Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2022

© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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