D2I2.
acute

Status epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE), or status seizure, is a medical condition characterized by a refractory period of seizure activity without a complete return to normal. It is a medical emergency that can lead to irreversible brain injury if untreated.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Regular pattern of contraction and extension of the arms and legs, movement of one part of the body, unresponsive

How it's found

  • ·Blood sugar, of the head, blood tests, electroencephalogram

Treatment

  • ·Benzodiazepines, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, paraldehyde (rarely used)

Outlook

  • ·~20% thirty-day risk of death
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.