Status epilepticus is a medical emergency requiring prompt medical attention and hospitalization. It is a condition in which a seizure is prolonged or when seizures occur in close succession without the person recovering between seizures. Prolonged seizures can prove dangerous causing long term brain damage or even death. Hence, it is very important to identify and treat status epilepticus as promptly as possible.
Convulsive Status Epilepticus
Convulsive status epilepticus occurs when a tonic-clonic seizure lasts for 5 minutes or longer. or if a person goes into a second seizure without regaining consciousness from the first one. It is possible for convulsive status epilepticus to progress to non- convulsive status epilepticus.
Non-convulsive Status Epilepticus
Non-convulsive status epilepticus includes continuous absence seizures and focal impaired awareness seizures that are subtler and difficult to recognize. It can appear in various ways, including automatisms, confusion, agitation altered awareness, mild continuous jerks, blank stare with constant blinking of eyes and others. It is possible for non-convulsive status epilepticus to progress to convulsive status epilepticus.
What to do in case the patient has Status Epilepticus
Call an ambulance and take the patient to a nearby hospital, preferably with neurological management facility. The primary caretaker in the family must accompany to help give a detailed narration of his epilepsy to the ER doctor.
