Postictal Phase of Seizures
Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder that originates in a person's brain but affects the entire body. Although epilepsy has many possible causes, it has a clear-cut process, and always progresses through the same chain of events. Epilepsy also has a clear-cut treatment schedule.
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The Facts
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Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that is caused by neurons in the brain misfiring and signaling action when none is needed. This mistaken signal results in the body's seizing. Epilepsy may be idiopathic--with no known cause--or symptomatic--caused by a known event, like stroke or head injury, that damaged the brain.
Stages of Seizure
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Every seizure occurs in clearly defined stages. Seizures start in the motor cortex (responsible for movement) and terminal lobes (responsible for memory) in the brain. A seizure begins with the "aura," or pre-seizure phase. People experience changes in tastes, smell, visual perception, hearing and emotion at this time. The actual seizure is known as the "ictus" phase.
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Postictal Phase
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The postictal state is the third phase of a seizure, and depends largely on how serious the seizure itself was. In this phase, people experience drowsiness and confusion as they seek to recover from the seizure. The brain attempts to right itself from the neurological disruption. Although this phase appears to be a recovery, it is the final phase of the seizure.
Complications
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Complications of the seizure may become apparent during the postictal phase. A failure to recover during this phase can lead to cognitive and behavioral changes. People who experience complications during the postictal phase may display symptoms like memory loss, lack of humor, anger, paranoia and violent behavior. The postictal phase is also when physical repercussions from the seizure arise, including aspiration, skull or vertebral fractures, tongue, lip or cheek injuries, and unconsciousness.
Treatments
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All epileptics receive a similar schedule of treatment: anti-seizure medications that control muscle movement and seek to eliminate seizures, anti-epileptic medications that seek to do the same, and an education on how to manage seizures when they happen. Management generally pertains to the ictus phase; during the postictal phase, patients are advised to lie down and rest until fully recovered, seeking medical help only if necessary.
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