Health Leaders Tracking Surge in Drug Seizures in ERs
Emergency departments across Philadelphia are reporting a startling trend: drug-related seizures have more than doubled in recent years, prompting health leaders to dig deeper into what’s fueling the rise. According to a report by WHYY, ER visits involving drug use and a seizure complaint or diagnosis have increased by 110% over the past five years -- a surge that has caught the attention of physicians and public health officials alike.
Philadelphia’s rapidly changing street drug supply could be playing a role, noted health officials. New combinations of substances, unexpected contaminants, and synthetic additives can trigger neurological complications, including seizures, often without the user realizing what they’ve ingested. Physicians also note a growing number of patients who are at elevated risk because of existing vulnerabilities, such as a prior traumatic brain injury, stimulant or synthetic drug use, or the physical stress of withdrawal.
These issues become even more dangerous when compounded by unstable living situations. Head injuries that go untreated, malnutrition, dehydration, and exposure to extreme temperatures, especially among people experiencing homelessness, can all make the brain more susceptible to seizure activity. Even when physicians suspect a seizure, confirming one isn’t always straightforward. An electroencephalogram (EEG) or neurological imaging is often required, but these tests aren't always ordered or completed during a single ER visit, particularly in a busy urban hospital.
Health leaders emphasize that addressing the spike in seizures requires more than just ER intervention. They’re calling for broader investments in support systems that reduce risk long before someone enters the hospital, such as access to safe shelter, reliable nutrition, primary care, and specialists who can evaluate and monitor ongoing neurological or substance-related conditions. The Department of Health also recommends that patients be counseled on seizure risk factors and that ER clinicians screen for a history of brain injury, which can dramatically shape treatment decisions.
In an emergency, every decision counts. A missed diagnosis, an incomplete workup, or a failure to recognize a patient’s medical history can lead to severe, lifelong consequences. Mismanaged seizure care may result in repeated episodes, worsening neurological damage, or life-threatening complications, harms that are often preventable with proper attention and testing.
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