Seizures

Table of contents

1. Red Flags
2. Possible causes of seizures

Red Flags

• Head injury with delayed seizure
• Developmental delay or regression
• Headache prior to the seizure
• Bleeding disorder, anticoagulation therapy
• Drug/alcohol use
• Focal signs

Possible causes of seizures

Not an exhaustive list, but some considerations

• Epilepsy
• CNS:
  • Infections: meningitis, encephalitis
  • Strokes (bleed, embolism, thrombosis)
  • Trauma
  • Encephalopathies: Uraemic, hepatic, hypertensive
  • Space occupying lesions
• Metabolic: Disorders of glucose, sodium, calcium, tonicity (hyper/hypo), acid base
• Withdrawal states: alcohol, benzodiazepine, barbiturate
• Toxins: TCA, propanolol, theophylline, anticonvulsants, tramadol, organophosphates
• Illicit drugs: cocaine, MDMA, other stimulants
• Environmental: hyperthermia/heatstroke
• Hypoxia

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