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abortive therapy
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therapy that aims to relieve symptoms through drug administration
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absence seizures
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seizures that cause rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space, also known as petit mal seizures
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alpha-adrenergic blockers
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a class of drugs that bind and inhibit alpha-adrenergic receptors, thereby inhibiting smooth muscle contraction
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anticonvulsant drugs
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drugs that are primarily used to treat seizures and epilepsy
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aura
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terminology used to describe the warning signs of an impending seizure
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brain herniation
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a life-threatening condition in which a portion of the brain is displaced due to increased intracranial pressure
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cerebral edema
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swelling of the brain
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cerebrospinal fluid
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a clear, colorless, watery fluid that flows in and around the brain and spinal cord
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complex focal seizures
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a type of focal seizure that makes a person confused or dazed and unresponsive to questions or directions for up to a few minutes.
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computed tomography (CT) scan
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a noninvasive imaging procedure that uses x-rays to produce horizontal and axial images of the brain
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convulsions
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an involuntary contraction of muscles that cause sudden irregular movements of the body
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electroencephalogram (EEG)
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a test that measures changes in the brain’s electrical patterns that relate to seizures or other neurological conditions
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epilepsy
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a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures
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focal seizures
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seizures that begin in a specific area of the brain and can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the area of the brain that is affected; also known as partial seizures
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foramen of Monro
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a short communication channel between the paired lateral ventricles and the third ventricle of the brain
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fulminant hepatic necrosis
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terminology for acute liver failure
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gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
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inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system
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generalized seizures
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seizures in which abnormal activity occurs in both sides of the brain from the beginning of the seizure
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gingival hyperplasia
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gum overgrowth
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grand mal seizures
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seizures that involve both tonic (muscle stiffness) and clonic (muscle jerking) phases, also known as tonic-clonic seizures
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headaches
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a prevalent medical condition that can cause pain or discomfort in the head or neck area
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idiopathic seizure
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a seizure in which the cause cannot be identified
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increased intracranial pressure
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a rise in the pressure within the skull that can cause various symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, and altered mental status
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intracranial emergencies
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a range of sudden and serious medical conditions that affect the brain, its surrounding structures, or blood vessels within the skull
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intracranial hypertension
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an elevated pressure within the skull that may or may not cause symptoms
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intracranial pressure monitoring
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direct measurement of intracranial pressure by inserting a catheter into the skull and connecting it to a pressure transducer
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magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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an imaging procedure that uses large magnetic radio waves to produce clear images of the structures inside the skull
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migraine headaches
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a type of headache that can be recurring and are often associated with a range of symptoms that can greatly affect quality of life
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nephrolithiasis
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hard deposits of mineral and salts that form inside the kidney or urinary tract, also known as renal calculi or kidney stones
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partial seizures
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seizures that begin in a specific area of the brain and can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the area of the brain that is affected; also known as focal seizures
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petit mal seizures
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seizures that cause rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space; also known as absence seizures
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positron emission tomography (PET) scan
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an imaging procedure that uses a radioactive tracer substance to detect disease or injury in the brain
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preventive therapy
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the use of drugs to prevent the occurrence of a condition
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secondary generalized seizures
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seizures that begin in one part of the brain but then spread to both sides of the brain; the person first has a focal seizure, followed by a generalized seizure
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seizure
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a sudden and temporary disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movement, or consciousness
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serotonin agonists
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drugs that bind to and activate serotonin receptors, often used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches
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simple focal seizures
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seizures that affect a small part of the brain and cause twitching movements or a change in sensation, such as an odd taste or smell
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sodium and hydrogen antiporter
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a membrane protein that transports sodium into the cell and hydrogen out of the cell
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tonic-clonic seizures
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seizures that involve both tonic (muscle stiffness) and clonic (muscle jerking) phases, also known as grand mal seizures