What is it about?
Many kinds of seizures are not a result of epilepsy. Reflex anoxic seizures are not epileptic seizures. They are seen with a sudden reduction in the blood flow to the brain, a drop in the oxygen content of the blood supplying the brain, or a combination of both. They are precipitated by noxious physical or emotional stimuli which causes a vagally mediated brief asystole. This is responsible for the syncope.
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Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Seizures are scary. Patients are scared that they will have to take medications for their lives. When the diagnosis is not right, anti-epileptic drugs will not be able to stop seizures. The case high lights the life-saving benefit of the right diagnosis and treatment and helps stop the abuse of anti-epileptic medications.
Perspectives
It was a challenging case but can be a light for other clinicians and patients around the world. Proper diagnosis and treatment are very important in the case of a seizure disorder.
Harpreet Singh
Sutter Health
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reflex anoxic seizures (RAS) in an adult patient: a separate entity from epilepsy, BMJ Case Reports, May 2018, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222389.
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