Paul Timmings
Is an Otago and Christchurch Clinical School graduate who began his neurology training as a registrar in Christchurch and completed it in Cardiff. He now lives and practices as a neurologist in Hamilton at Waikato Hospital and also at Anglesea Clinic. He works as a general neurologist and maintains a strong interest in epilepsy. He has published peer reviewed articles and text-book chapters on epilepsy and neuro-pharmacology topics. He has recently completed his doctoral thesis on use of the EEG photoparoxysmal response to predict ant-epileptic drug efficacy. He has presented his epilepsy research at international meetings, winning research prize awards on 2 occasions. He teaches at the Waikato Clinical School and holds an honorary Senior Lecturer post with Auckland University. He maintains a keen research interest and fosters clinical teaching and research in the Waikato neurology unit. He is married with 5 children. Other interests include hiking and skiing.

 

 

Fits and Faints
Concurrent Workshop
Sunday, 15 June 2014 Start 8:30am Duration: 55mins Room 11
Start 9:35am Duration: 55mins Room 11
An interactive, case based, discussive session:

Differences between syncope and seizures, and some of the difficulties discriminating the two will be explored.

Getting the right diagnosis in patients presenting with LOC ?cause is vital, because the doctor is, at that instant, able to influence the course of the persons’ life for the next 2 to 12 months. Good clinical decision making and appropriate investigation can immensely assist here.

Understanding that more than 2/3 of adults with LOC ?cause haven’t had a seizure is also important, but correctly identifying significant occult cardiac disease may be life saving.

Knowing that most people who faint will have twitching & jerking is also vital, as in the past, the occurrence of jerking has been assumed to be a marker of epileptic seizure, and this is now understood to be incorrect.

We will also explore the epidemic of epilepsy in the elderly. A growth area which is may be undiagnosed, overlooked, and inadequately treated.

HANDOUT: Fits and Faints