Status epilepticus is a very serious problem in the brain which needs fast attention, or it can be fatal. People with epilepsy should be aware of what status epilepticus is, how doctors treat it, and what precautions they can take to avoid it.
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Status Epilepticus sounds scary! What is it?
It is when someone has ongoing seizure activity in the brain for at least 5 minutes, or when they keep having seizures back to back without returning to normal in between. This can lead to permanent damage to brain cells if the seizures aren’t controlled.
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Who is at risk of developing Status Epilepticus?
Triggers of status epilepticus include infections to the brain, head injuries, drug use, or even withdrawal from certain drugs like alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. Also, patients with epilepsy who don’t take their medications are at a higher risk of having new seizures which can progress into status epilepticus.
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How do you treat Status Epilepticus?
Doctors will treat status epilepticus in a step by step manner. The first priority is to check whether the patient can breathe on their own and that the heart is pumping properly. After this, medications such as benzodiazepines, anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s), or barbiturates are used to stop the ongoing seizures. After the seizures are under control, the patient will most likely need to stay in the ICU for some time to be monitored before they are sent home in a more stable condition.
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What can I do to avoid having Status Epilepticus?
People with epilepsy can do a few things to lower their chances of having status epilepticus. First off, it is vitally important that they take the AED’s they’ve been prescribed exactly as their neurologist has told them. This is the best way to prevent any new seizures. Next, it is very important that patients keep their appointments with their neurologist during which they can discuss any new seizures they’ve had or any side effects they’ve experienced from their AED’s. Finally, patients should cut down on or completely eliminate drugs and alcohol. Even if they are taking their AED’s as prescribed, using drugs and alcohol can still trigger more seizures so it is very helpful to avoid these substances.
Sources:
Wylie T, Sandhu DS, Murr N. Status Epilepticus. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430686/
Author: Rohan Thomas