Status Epilepticus
How is the condition diagnosed?
The healthcare provider can diagnose some attacks of status epilepticus by observing the person. This is especially true for generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Other cases are more difficult to diagnose, such as nonconvulsive status epilepticus. A variety of laboratory and other special tests aid in the diagnosis.
Emergency treatment will continue while these tests are being done:
blood tests and drug screening tests to detect drug toxicity or withdrawal
arterial blood gases help determine acid-base imbalances and monitor the level of oxygen in the blood
cranial CT scan or cranial MRI to detect brain tumors or bleeding
electroencephalogram, or EEG, to measure changes in the electrical activity in the brain
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