What condition is defined by a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes without a return to baseline consciousness?

Status Epilepticus is a condition characterized by a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes or multiple seizures occurring in a sequence without a return to baseline consciousness between them. This prolonged seizure activity is critical because it poses significant health risks, including brain damage and can be life-threatening, leading to complications such as respiratory failure or cardiovascular instability.

In contrast, focal seizures pertain to seizures originating from a specific area of the brain and may not always involve altered consciousness. Grand Mal seizures, also known as tonic-clonic seizures, are a type of generalized seizure but do not specifically define the duration or the return to consciousness criterion set by Status Epilepticus. Petit Mal seizures, which are characterized by brief lapses in consciousness, do not last for extended periods, and therefore do not meet the definition of this severe condition either. This underscores the critical importance of recognizing Status Epilepticus as a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.