What are Acute Repetitive Seizures?

Acute repetitive s (ARS) refer to two or more unprovoked seizures that occur within a 24hour period without recovery of consciousness between seizures. ARS is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent further seizures and potential complications. The seizures usually occur very close together, within minutes or hours of each other.

Causes of Acute Repetitive Seizures

There are several potential causes of ARS, including:

Low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels can trigger ARS, especially in diabetics. Common causes of hypoglycemia include missing or delaying a meal, excessive exercise, or too much insulin. 

Drug or alcohol withdrawal: Withdrawal from alcohol, sedatives like benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants can cause seizures. 

Infection or illness: Acute Repetitive Seizures   may occur due to infections like meningitis or encephalitis that directly affect the brain. High fevers from any illness can also lower the seizure threshold.

Traumatic brain injury: Head injuries that cause bruising or bleeding in the brain increase the risk of acute repetitive.

Pre-existing epilepsy: While epilepsy is a chronic condition, changes in medication, stress, sleep deprivation or alcohol/drug use may cause ARS in patients with a history of seizures.

Idiopathic: In about 25-50% of ARS cases, no specific cause can be identified. This is known as idiopathic or cryptogenic ARS.

Risk Factors for Acute Repetitive Seizu

Certain factors increase one's risk of developing ARS:

-  Epilepsy: Having a pre-existing seizure disorder like epilepsy greatly elevates the chances of ARS. 

-  Brain abnormalities: Conditions like cerebral palsy, brain tumors or congenital neurological malformations affect seizure control.

-  Young age: ARS is more common in infants and children than adults.

-  Drug or alcohol use: Substance use can lower the seizure threshold.

-  Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation increases seizure risk. 

-  Non-compliance with medication: Missing anti-seizure drug doses raises the risk of a seizure episode.

-  Stress: High stress levels may act as a seizure trigger in susceptible individuals.

-  Fever: Even a mild fever increases ARS risk, especially in young children.

Symptoms of Acute Repetitive Seizur