Understanding Status Epilepticus: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What is Status Epilepticus?

Status epilepticus is a serious medical emergency. It happens when a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or when a person has two or more seizures without regaining full consciousness between them. This condition requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

Types of Status Epilepticus

• Convulsive — involves visible shaking movements (most common and most dangerous)
• Non-convulsive — altered consciousness without visible shaking, can be harder to recognise
• Absence — prolonged staring episodes, particularly in children

Common Causes

• Sudden stopping of epilepsy medication
• Brain infection (encephalitis or meningitis)
• Stroke or brain injury
• High fever, especially in children (febrile seizures)
• Very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Drug or alcohol withdrawal
• Brain tumours
• Metabolic disorders

Symptoms to Recognise

• Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
• Repeated seizures without recovery between them
• Loss of consciousness after seizure
• Uncontrolled jerking movements
• Breathing difficulty
• Bluish colour to lips or face

What to Do During a Seizure

• Stay calm and stay with the person
• Time the seizure — if over 5 minutes, call emergency services
• Gently turn the person on their side
• Do NOT put anything in their mouth
• Do NOT restrain their movements
• Remove nearby sharp or hard objects
• Call +91-8282 8989 18 immediately

Diagnosis and Treatment

At Sri Ganga Hospital, our emergency team provides immediate assessment including blood tests, CT scan or MRI of the brain, and EEG (electroencephalogram). Treatment includes IV anti-epileptic medications, airway management, and treatment of the underlying cause.

Prevention

• Never stop epilepsy medication without doctor's advice
• Take medications at the same time every day
• Attend regular neurology follow-ups
• Avoid known seizure triggers (sleep deprivation, alcohol, stress)