| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A seizure may be mild and cause minimal symptoms or may be severe and cause loss of consciousness and a sudden, violent contraction and relaxation of the muscles caused by spontaneous electrical activity in the brain. |
| Alternative Names | Seizure - first aid |
| Considerations | Most seizures last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. However, if a seizure is prolonged, or if multiple seizures happen in succession with no recovery of consciousness in between, this is called status epilepticus and is a medical emergency.
When seizures recur, and there are no underlying causes that can be identified, a person is said to have epilepsy . Epilepsy can usually be controlled well with medication.
It is not possible to stop a convulsion once it has started. All that can be done is to help protect the victim from injury and get medical help as needed. Observing the quality and duration of the seizure is useful information for medical professionals.
It is important to pay attention to which limb(s) is involved , in what order, is there any alteration in consciousness, is there loss of urine, or do the eyes or head deviate in any direction. |
| Causes | EpilepsyAlcohol use Barbiturates, intoxication or withdrawal Brain illness or injury Brain tumor (rare) ChokingDrug abuseElectric shockFever (particularly in young children) Head injuryHeart disease Heat illness (see heat intolerance ) High blood pressureMeningitis Poisoning StrokeToxemia of pregnancyUremia related to kidney failure Venomous bites and stings (see snake bite ) Withdrawal from benzodiazepines (such as Valium) Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) |
| Symptoms | Brief blackout or period of confused behavior Drooling or frothing at the mouth Grunting and snorting Local tingling or twitching in one part of the body Loss of bladder or bowel control Sudden falling; loss of consciousness Temporary absence of breathing Vigorous muscle spasms with twitching and jerking limbs Head or eye deviation Aura prior to attack which may consist of sudden fear or anxiety, a feeling of nausea, visual symptoms, vertigo |
| First Aid | When a seizure occurs, the main strategy is to try to keep the victim from injury. Try to protect the victim from falls. Lay the victim on the ground in a safe area. Clear the area around the victim of furniture or other sharp objects. If the victim requires restraint, place him on his side. Without limiting the movements of a person having a seizure, loosen any tight clothing, particularly around the victim's neck. If vomiting occurs, try to turn the head so that the vomitus is expelled and is not inhaled into the lungs or windpipe. In an infant or child, if the seizure seems to be the result of high fever , cool the child gradually, using cool compresses and tepid water. An appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used, especially if there is a history of febrile seizures. DO NOT, however, immerse the child in a cold bath. After a convulsion , most victims go into a deep sleep. Do not prevent the victim from sleeping. He or she will probably be disoriented for a time after awakening. Stay with the victim until recovery or until you have professional medical help. Meanwhile, monitor their vital signs ( pulse , rate of breathing). When the victim awakens, determine if he has had previous seizures and whether he is presently on medication for such a condition. Encourage him to take his prescribed medication. If the victim is a diabetic or suspected to be, sugar can be administered. If the victim is unconscious, sugar granules or liquid glucose can be placed under the tongue. If conscious, the diabetic can consume a sugary beverage, food, or concentrated liquid glucose. |
| Do Not | DO NOT Restrain the victim. DO NOT Place anything between the victim's teeth during a seizure (including your fingers). DO NOT Move the victim unless he or she is in danger or near something hazardous. DO NOT Try to make the victim stop convulsing -- they can't control themselves during a seizure. DO NOT Perform rescue breathing on a seizure victim, even if they are turning blue. Most seizures end long before brain damage would begin. DO NOT Give the victim anything by mouth until the convulsions have stopped and the victim is fully awake and alert. |
| Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if | The convulsion lasts more than two minutes or there are recurring seizures '>seizures (more than one episode per hour). The victim does not awaken between seizures. The victim is ill, injured, or intoxicated. The victim has never had convulsions before. The victim is a diabetic or has high blood pressure . The victim is pregnant . The victim had a seizure in water. The victim seems weak and feverish after the seizures '>seizures have stopped. |
| Prevention | Known epileptics should always take any prescribed medication and wear a medical alert tag. Keep fevers under control, especially in children. |
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