A seizure represents a sudden disturbance in the brain’s electrical signals. This can temporarily interrupt brain function, leading to changes in behavior, awareness, movement, and feelings. Witnessing a seizure can be frightening, as its presentation can range from a brief lapse in attention to convulsions. Understanding the event is the first step toward providing appropriate assistance.
Immediate Seizure First Aid
Remaining calm is a primary step when witnessing a seizure. Most seizures last for less than a few minutes and are not a medical emergency. Ensure the person’s safety by clearing the area of any hard or sharp objects. If the person is on the ground, place something soft and flat, like a folded jacket, under their head.
It is important to time the seizure, noting when it begins. Loosen any tight clothing around the person’s neck, such as a tie or scarf, to ensure their breathing is not restricted. Do not restrain the person or try to stop their movements, as this can cause injury. Nothing should ever be placed in the person’s mouth.
Once convulsions have stopped, gently turn the person onto their side into the recovery position. This helps keep their airway clear by allowing fluid to drain from the mouth. Stay with the person after the seizure ends, as they will be disoriented, and offer calm reassurance.
Recognizing a Medical Emergency
While basic first aid is sufficient for many seizures, certain situations require immediate medical intervention. If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, call for emergency medical services. A seizure of this length is a condition known as status epilepticus and demands urgent treatment.
Emergency help is also needed if a person has multiple seizures without regaining consciousness in between. If the person sustained a serious injury during the seizure, or if they have difficulty breathing after it stops, an ambulance should be called. Any seizure that occurs in water is an emergency.
Certain underlying health conditions also elevate a seizure to an emergency. If the person is pregnant, has a known heart condition, or has diabetes, seek immediate medical help. If you believe it is the person’s first-ever seizure, calling for emergency assistance is the recommended course of action.
Care During the Post-Seizure Phase
Following a seizure, an individual enters a recovery period known as the postictal state. This phase can last from minutes to several hours and is characterized by drowsiness, confusion, and disorientation. Headaches, nausea, and body soreness are also common complaints.
Provide comfort and reassurance by staying with the person and speaking in a calm voice. Help orient them by telling them where they are and that they are safe. Check for any injuries they may have sustained, but do not offer food or drink until they are fully awake and alert.
The individual will likely feel exhausted and need to rest or sleep. Allowing the person to recover at their own pace in a safe and quiet environment is the best approach.
Potential Causes of Seizures
When seizures occur repeatedly without a direct trigger, the underlying condition is often epilepsy. However, many seizures are provoked, meaning they are the result of a specific, identifiable cause and may only happen once. These can be triggered by factors that temporarily disrupt normal brain function.
A high fever, particularly in young children, can lead to a febrile seizure. Other acute causes include a head injury, a stroke, or a brain infection like meningitis. Imbalances in the body’s chemistry, such as very low blood sugar, can also provoke a seizure.
In some cases, seizures can be related to a brain tumor or other structural abnormalities. Withdrawal from alcohol or certain medications can be another trigger. If a person experiences two or more unprovoked seizures with no identifiable cause, a diagnosis of epilepsy is considered.