Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
postictal
Pronunciation: post-IK-tal
The altered state of consciousness following a seizure, characterized by confusion, fatigue, and temporary neurological deficits.
Full Definition
Postictal refers to the period immediately following a seizure episode, during which patients typically experience altered consciousness, confusion, headache, and fatigue. This phase can last minutes to hours depending on seizure type and duration. Neurophysiologically, the postictal period shows characteristic EEG changes including background slowing and suppression. Recognition of postictal changes is crucial for distinguishing true seizures from psychogenic events.
Usage
Usage note: Always one word, never hyphenated despite the prefix 'post-'.
In Context
- "The patient remained postictal for 30 minutes with marked confusion and aphasia." — Emergency department seizure evaluation
- "Postictal slowing was evident in the left temporal region following the complex partial seizure." — Long-term EEG monitoring report
Also known as
post-seizure state
Contrasted with
preictal
interictal
Don't confuse with
ictal
interictal