Symptomatic
Referring to a disorder with an identifiable cause; for example, severe head trauma can cause symptomatic epilepsy.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A federal assistance program.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes.
Structural lesion
Physical abnormality in the brain.
Steady state
A state in which equilibrium has been achieved. In reference to antiepileptic drugs, steady state is achieved when a constant daily dose of a drug produces consistent blood levels of the drug (takes at least five times the half-life of the drug in question).
Status epilepticus
A prolonged seizure (usually defined as lasting longer than 30 minutes) or a series of repeated seizures; a continuous state of seizure activity; may occur in almost any seizure type. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency, and medical help should be obtained immediately.
Spike
An EEG pattern strongly correlated with seizures; “benign” spikes are not associated with seizures.
Spell
A period, bout, or episode of illness or indisposition; refers to seizures or other disorders that produce brief episodes of behavioral change.
Social worker
A professional typically assigned by the hospital and/or clinic to help assess and assist with both patient and caregiver needs, from navigating insurance to obtaining services.
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
A federal assistance program for disabled people who have paid Social Security taxes or are dependents of people who have paid.