Differentiating Seizure Action Plans by Epilepsy Type

"Certain conditions are more prone to go into status epilepticus or other types of emergencies. Obviously, Lennox-Gastaut [syndrome] is a great example. Dravet syndrome is another fine example.”

Epilepsy isn’t a single disease or condition. There are many types of epilepsy with different symptoms and patterns. Within these epileptic groups, there is also a range of seizure types, the frequency in which they occur, and the methods in which they are treated. Some epileptic types are considered more severe and can encounter a greater number of seizures or require a certain number of rescue medications compared to others.

With that in mind, from a caregiver perspective, developing and tailoring a seizure action plan (SAP) to an given patient with epilepsy may lead to better response when seizures occur and even more situational awareness on whether to refer to paramedics.

As part of SAP Awareness Week, February 8 to 15, 2021, NeurologyLive hosted a roundtable discussion with multiple leaders within the epilepsy community. Scott Perry, MD, co-director, Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, Cook Children’s Hospital; Orrin Devinksy, MD, director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU Langone; and Tracy Salazar, PhD, executive director, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Foundation, all participated in the multi-segment conversation.

The third segment of this discussion deals with how SAPs can vary across epilepsy types, and why even patients without epilepsy should understand what do to do if someone around them is having a seizure.