what to do if your patient is having a seizure

What should you do to help if someone is having a seizure?

What Should You Do When Someone Is Having A Seizure? During a seizure, there are safety precautions to prevent injury, and you should [ 3 ]: Loosen restrictive clothing. ... If the person is unconscious, make sure nothing is blocking the nose or mouth. ... Don't perform artificial respiration during a seizure, even if the person is turning blue. ... More items...

What should I do first if someone has a seizure?

• Helping them move into a safe position on the floor or a chair
• Rolling them onto their side
• Loosening any clothing that is tight around their neck or could restrict breathing (buttons, ties, etc.)
• Removing eyeglasses
• Moving them away from hard or sharp items that could cause injury, but only if you can do so safely

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What treatment is effective for patients with seizures?

agents, alternative treatments include surgical resection of the seizure focus, ketogenic diets, vagus nerve stimulators, and implantable brain neurostimulators. Patients who have had a recent ...

How to help when someone is having a seizure?

Try to remain calm and don't stop their movements

• Remain calm. Check to see if the person is wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace. ...
• Keep the person safe. ...
• Turn the person onto their side if they are not awake or aware. ...
• Do not try to stop the person's movements or hold the person down. ...
• Stay with the person until they are fully awake and alert after the seizure. ...

What causes a seizure after a stroke?

Seizures can occur after a head injury, after a stroke, or as a result of certain infections and illnesses , such as meningitis. It’s important to recognize the signs of a seizure and understand what to do if you or someone around you is experiencing one.

How long does a seizure last?

Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes and will not require any emergency medical attention. However, if someone is experiencing a seizure that lasts longer than two minutes, or they lose consciousness and it does not come back right after the seizure, you should call 911 right away.

What is the opposite of déjà vu?

Jamais vu (the opposite of déjà vu), where things seem foreign or unfamiliar, even if you know you have been there before. Young children and babies can also experience seizures, but they may not be able to tell you what is going on. Common signs for children and babies include: Frequent or sudden stomach pain.

What is a seizure in 2021?

Feb 11, 2021 3:30 PM. A seizure is a medical condition that causes abnormal activity and/or body movements after a sudden and uncontrolled disturbance in your brain. Most people associate seizures with a condition called epilepsy, but you can experience a seizure even without having this condition. Seizures can occur after a head injury, ...

How do you know if you have a seizure?

The most common symptoms prior to seizure include: A sound or tone that is the same each time. Changes in your hearing that might feel like you’re under water.

How many years after a seizure can you have another seizure?

While it is possible to experience just one seizure the risk of having another seizure within two years of your first one is between 21% and 45%. Depending on the cause of the seizure, your risk could be even higher.

How to tell if a baby is a jacknife?

Common signs for children and babies include: Frequent or sudden stomach pain. Complaints that things taste, smell, feel, look, or sound weird. Sleeping more than normal, or waking up confused and irritable. Jacknife movements in babies (jerking and grabbing with both arms)

How do you know if someone is having a seizure?

A seizure is uncontrolled brain activity, which can lead to uncontrolled movements and behavior. When someone is experiencing a generalized seizure, they may:

How do you know if you need to call 911?

Four other signs you need to call 911 when a seizure occurs. If the person has trouble breathing afterward or does not awaken after the convulsing has stopped. If the person has another seizure shortly after the first. If the person becomes injured or starts getting aggressive.

How to know if you have a seizure?

Four other signs you need to call 911 when a seizure occurs 1 If the person has trouble breathing afterward or does not awaken after the convulsing has stopped 2 If the person has another seizure shortly after the first 3 If the person becomes injured or starts getting aggressive 4 If the person has a known health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, or is pregnant

How long does a seizure last?

How long do seizures last? The typical duration of a seizure lasts between one to three minutes. If it lasts longer than five minutes, you should call 9-1-1. “Longer seizures can be damaging to the brain,” says Timothy Lucas II, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon at Penn Medicine. “This is because seizures can use up the brain’s supply of oxygen and glucose, ...

What to do when someone has a seizure?

Lucas says DO NOT: try to hold the person down: This can cause injury and won't make the seizure stop. leave when the seizure is over: Wait a few minutes to make sure the person can breathe normally and returns to a normal state of awareness.

How many people have epilepsy?

This illness has been on the rise for years and according to the Epilepsy Foundation, 1 in 26 individuals will develop epilepsy at some time in their life.

Why do people turn their diaphragm?

The person can produce lots of saliva, which they could choke on. Also, turning them can help keep their airway clear, since the diaphragm can't contract.

What does it mean when a person has a tonic clonic seizure?

Tonic clonic seizure. The person suddenly loses consciousness (or, 'blacks out') then becomes stiff all over and their body makes jerking movements. When the seizure is over, they may be confused, sore and fatigued. This can be quite distressing or frightening for someone who has never witnessed a seizure before.

How to stop a seizure?

Time the seizure — or estimate the time if you don't have a watch or phone. Do not try to hold the person down. Do not put anything in the person's mouth. After a seizure, if the person is on the ground, roll them onto their side in the recovery position. Stay with the person after the seizure stops .

What does it mean when you have a focal seizure?

Focal seizure. The person might be confused or look like they're sleepwalking. They might do strange things, make strange sounds or repeat movements over and over. This type of seizure can vary a lot between individuals.

What is it called when you have a fit?

Here's what you need to know about seizures (sometimes called a 'fit', or convulsions), and what to do when someone has one.

How does the brain control everything?

The brain controls everything you do by sending messages — like little electrical signals — to and from your body to make you move, feel, think or react. A seizure occurs when the brain cells send mixed-up messages, which stops a person's body from working properly for a short time.

How to help someone who is in danger?

Stay calm. Keep the person safe — move anything away that is sharp or hard that could cause injury. Only move the person if they are in danger (e.g. on a road or hot concrete). You might need help with this.

Can you have seizures if you have epilepsy?

But not all seizures are caused by epilepsy, so you may still see someone having a seizure at some point in your lifetime.

What should you do when someone has a seizure?

If someone has a seizure, the best thing you can do is stay calm and remind yourself that it will probably end soon. You can't stop a seizure, no matter what kind it is, and the less you interfere with someone who is having one, the better.

What should you avoid doing when someone has a seizure?

In addition to what you can (and should) do when you experience someone having a seizure, there are also things that you should absolutely not do. According to the CDC, you should avoid doing the following things if someone around you is having a seizure:

How long does a tonic clonic seizure last?

As with any type of seizure, keep an eye on the clock—if a tonic-clonic seizure lasts for more than five minutes, get emergency medical attention ASAP.

How long does it take for a seizure to become a red flag?

The duration of a seizure can help you tell if it's becoming a medical emergency (five minutes or longer is a red flag). But there are also some other factors that turn a seizure into a dangerous situation. The CDC advises getting help for a person having a seizure if:

How long does a seizure last?

And according to Northwestern Medicine, 19 out of 20 seizures come to an end in just two to three minutes. But if a seizure lasts more than five minutes, that's a sign to call 9-1-1.

How to address a person who has a seizure?

Don't address a person who's just had a serious seizure with a worried, urgent tone—instead, give them a chance to slowly regain consciousness, then speak to them in a soft, reassuring voice. Explain what happened and let them know that you will stay with them until they are able to get home safely.

How did Cameron Boyce die?

RELATED: Disney Star Cameron Boyce, 20, Died After Having an Epileptic Seizure in His Sleep

How many stages of a seizure are there?

Stages of a seizure. Seizures occur in stages for most people. Usually, there are four stages, and they are: prodrome. aura. ictal. post-ictal. The prodrome and the aura typically occur just before or at the start of a seizure, and signs vary from person to person. The middle, or active, part of the seizure is the ictal phase, ...

What is the middle of a seizure called?

The middle, or active, part of the seizure is the ictal phase , and the period immediately following a seizure is called the post-ictal period.

How to prevent seizures?

This may help you take measures to prevent seizures. Be sure you are in a safe place when your seizure begins. Have a seizure action plan. Alert those around you that you are having a seizure.

How long does the prodromal phase last?

The prodromal phase can last anywhere from 10 minutes to several days before the onset of a seizure. Common symptoms include:

How to warn someone of a seizure?

Take the following steps if you have a warning that a seizure is about to begin: Help ease the person to the ground if they are standing. Clear the area of any objects on which they could become injured. Loosen clothing, especially around the neck. Stay with the person for the duration of the seizure.

How long should you stay with a seizure patient?

Stay with the person for the duration of the seizure.

How to stop a seizure from a car?

Avoid driving, ask someone to stay with you, or make sure you are sitting or laying down. If you’re cooking or near open flames, stop. Avoid heights or climbing. If you have children, make sure they’re prepared, or that you have someone with you to care for them during your seizure. Avoid water activities or swimming.

What is epilepsy?

For background, epilepsy is a common neurological condition affecting around 600,000 people in the UK (slightly less than 1% of the population). It can develop at any point in your life, and isn't always lifelong - many people whose condition starts before the age of 20 will eventually 'grow out of it'.

What is epileptic seizure?

Types of seizure. According to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), an epileptic seizure can be defined as 'a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain'. "It's a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain which causes a temporary disturbance in the way ...

What is a tonic clonic seizure?

Tonic-clonic seizures (once called 'grand mal') are one of the most prevalent. The person will fall unconscious and will often fall backwards, as their body goes stiff and begins to shake for several minutes. They may also cry out, breathe abnormally, or lose control of their bladder.

What can a bystander do?

What you can do. As Spittles explains, the most important thing a bystander can do is simply to make sure the person is safe. "The main thing is just to assess the situation around them and check they're not in immediate danger," she says. "For example, you might have to cushion their head if they're on the floor.

What is it called when you lose muscle tone?

A further common category is atonic seizures, in which the person suddenly loses muscle tone, and their head and body go limp.

When was Hannah first prescribed valproate?

Hannah* was first prescribed sodium valproate to control her epilepsy when she was 13 years ol...

When to call an ambulance for a seizure?

You should also call an ambulance if you know it's the person's first seizure; if they are injured; if one seizure appears to follow the other without the person regaining consciousness; if they have trouble breathing after the seizure has stopped; or you believe they require urgent medical assistance .

What are the different types of seizures?

There are two main types of seizures, generalized and focal. Generalized seizures have several subtypes:

What happens after the seizure?

The period after the seizure is called the “postictal state” and it persists until the patient has returned to his or her baseline. The length of time varies, and the name of the game during this period continues to be patient safety. Most patients are hypoactive in the postictal state, but be aware that the patient may be hyperactive as well (when this occurs, it is sometimes referred to as postictal delirium or postictal psychosis).

What is the risk of a seizure while standing?

Tonic seizures: This type of seizure causes the muscles to stiffen, usually the muscles of the back, legs and arms. Patients having a tonic seizure are at high risk for falls if the seizure occurs while standing or even sitting. Again, think SAFETY!

What is a clonic seizure?

Again, think SAFETY! Clonic seizures: In a clonic seizure the patient will exhibit repeated or rhythmic jerking of the muscles. You’ll often see these in the face, neck and arms. Myoclonic seizures: These seizures typically have a sudden onset of brief twitches or jerks of the legs and arms.

How to protect the airway during a seizure?

As well as you are able, position the patient onto their side so the secretions run out of their mouth instead of down their throat. Do not attempt to insert a suction catheter into the patient’s mouth during the seizure, but do have suction READY so that as soon as you can safely insert the catheter you can clear their oral cavity. Another option, depending on how much the patient is thrashing about, is to place a nasal-pharyngeal airway (also called a nasal trumpet) and insert a thin flexible suction catheter through the NPA down into the pharynx to suction any secretions.

Why do seizures occur?

A seizure can occur for a variety of reasons. In addition to epilepsy, seizures can occur in the presence of: Brain injury secondary to trauma. Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Hyponatremia (a low sodium level) Alcohol withdrawal. Methamphetamine use. Hypoxia. Brain tumors, also known as “space-occupying lesions”.

How to keep a patient safe during a seizure?

If you’re in a tight space, such as a bathroom, you can place pillows against the walls and other surfaces that can’t be moved. If your patient is at risk for seizures, make sure that seizure precautions are in place. This is typically a bundle of elements that, when performed together, can help keep your patients safe. Seizure precautions usually refers to placing pads against the side rails of the bed (these are usually just called “seizure pads”), ensuring oxygen is functional, ensuring suction is set up and working at the bedside, and maintaining the bed in its lowest position.

How long does a seizure last?

Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is a medical emergency. Seizures are more common than you might think. Seizures can happen after a stroke, a closed head injury, an infection such as meningitis or another illness.

What is it called when you have seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain?

Seizures that appear to involve all areas of the brain are called generalized seizures. Different types of generalized se izures include:

How many hours apart can you have two seizures?

It can cause changes in your behavior, movements or feelings, and in levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart that aren't brought on by an identifiable cause is generally considered to be epilepsy. There are many types of seizures, which range in symptoms and severity. Seizure types vary by where in the brain ...

What is a temporary confusion spell?

Temporary confusion. A staring spell. Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Loss of consciousness or awareness. Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety or deja vu. Doctors generally classify seizures as either focal or generalized, based on how and where abnormal brain activity begins.

What causes low blood sodium?

Low blood sodium (hyponatremia), which can happen with diuretic therapy. Medications, such as certain pain relievers, antidepressants or smoking cessation therapies, that lower the seizure threshold. Head trauma that causes an area of bleeding in the brain. Abnormalities of the blood vessels in the brain.

What to do if you have a seizure for the first time?

If you experience a seizure for the first time, seek medical advice.

What is a focal seizure?

Focal seizures. Focal seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in one area of your brain. Focal seizures can occur with or without loss of consciousness: Focal seizures with impaired awareness. These seizures involve a change or loss of consciousness or awareness that feels like being in a dream.