Status Epilepticus
What are the treatments for the condition?
Time is the critical issue. A person will be given emergency care while the cause of the seizure is being determined. Emergency care includes:
giving oxygen
starting an intravenous line to inject medications
using short-acting, muscle paralyzing medications to stop the seizures
giving antiseizure medication
keeping the person from injury
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of treatment depend on the medications given. Antiseizure medication may cause drowsiness in some people and hyperactivity in others.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After emergency treatment, a person will need to take any daily seizure medications exactly as prescribed.
How is the condition monitored?
A person will need follow-up visits to the healthcare provider to make sure that the level of medication in the bloodstream is appropriate. The dose may need to be adjusted. The person should wear a MedicAlert bracelet that indicates he or she has epilepsy.
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