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    What does status epilepticus mean?

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    Epilepsy & Seizures
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    Status epilepticus (SE) is defined as one continuous seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures without regaining consciousness between seizures. It is considered a medical emergency and can be life-threatening so it needs to be treated as soon as possible.

    SE doesn’t always occur in people with epilepsy, it can sometimes be the first seizure and a sign of another health condition such as stroke or brain haemorrhage. Someone who has had an episode of SE is at a higher risk of it happening again. The seizures are not always convulsive (tonic-clonic), quite frequently it is non-convulsive. This type of SE may simply appear as a prolonged episode of confusion or agitation in someone who does not ordinarily have that kind of behaviour. While this may not seem as severe as convulsive SE, it should still be treated as an emergency.

    There is no doubt, it is serious. About one in five people will die because of SE, especially if treatment is not started quickly. However, many of these people also have an underlying brain condition causing their status such as brain tumour, brain infection, brain trauma or stroke. People with diagnosed epilepsy who have SE episode also have an increased risk of death, but the outcome is greatly improved if treatment is started quickly.

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