Epilepsy and Epileptic Seizures

Abstract

Epileptic seizures occur with convulsions caused by sudden and uncontrolled abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. Seizures cause alterations in consciousness, cognitive and emotional changes. Etiologic factors include trauma, genetic, infectious, metabolic, and autoimmune factors, and sometimes the seizures are idiopathic. The goal of treatment is to keep the patient’s seizure intervals as long as possible, minimize treatment-related side effects, make the patient a more participatory and productive member of society, and improve the patient’s quality of life. Nurses must assess the perceptions of people with epilepsy, their level of knowledge about the disease and treatment, and the factors that influence their adherence to treatment, and plan individualized care. The nurse cares for the patient and family as part of a multidisciplinary team and manages the patient’s treatment and care in her role as consultant, educator, researcher, and advocate according to the principles of holistic nursing care.