Seizures

First Aid

Savan Patel

A seizure can be a symptom of another health problem, such as:• A rapidly increasing fever (fever seizure).• An extremely low blood sugar level in a person who has

diabetes.• Damage to the brain from a stroke, brain surgery, or a head

injury.• Problems that have been present since birth.• Withdrawal from alcohol, prescription medicine, or illegal

drugs.• An infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis.• A brain tumor or structural defect in the brain, such as an

aneurysm.• Parasitic infections, such as tapeworm or toxoplasmosis.

Do NOT

• Do NOT hold the person down or restrain the person.

• Do NOT place anything in the mouth or try to pry the teeth apart. The person is not in danger of swallowing his or her tongue. This could injure their jaw and gums or break their teeth.

• Do NOT attempt to give them oral medication or anything to drink during a seizures.

• Do NOT try to “shake the person out of it”.

Do

• Stay calm and keep track of time.• Look for medical identification.• Protect from nearby hazards.• Loosen any tight clothing, like tie or collar.• Cushion head to protect from injury.• Turn on side to keep airway clear unless injury

exists. Reassure as consciousness returns.

• If single seizure lasted less than 5 minutes, ask if hospital evaluation wanted.

• If multiple seizures, or if one seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call an ambulance.

• Stay with person until he/she regains consciousness.

• Observe seizure characteristics -- length, type of movements, direction of head or eye turning. These characteristics may help the doctor diagnose the type of seizure.

Generalized Seizures

• Grand Mal— Also known as a convulsion, this is the most common and easily recognized kind of generalized seizure.

• Absence or Petit Mal Seizures — These seizures can easily be confused with daydreaming or not paying attention.

• Atonic and Tonic Seizures — Also called “drop attack” seizures, these seizures are when the child suddenly collapses and falls.

• Myoclonic Seizures — These are sudden, brief muscle jerks, usually affecting the child's neck, shoulders and upper arms.

Partial or Focal Seizures

• Simple -- not affecting awareness or memory• Complex -- affecting awareness or memory of

events before, during, and immediately after the seizure, and affecting behavior

Video

• http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=seizures&view=detail&mid=DD3333A81E4B58B0A211DD3333A81E4B58B0A211&first=0