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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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Article Home First Aid and Emergency First aid for seizures and epilepsy

First aid for seizures and epilepsy

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first-aid/9719?iL=true" >First aid for epilepsy is basically very simple. It keeps the person safe until the seizure stops naturally by itself. Many seizure types-such as generalized absence seizures or complex partial seizures, which involve relatively brief episodes of unresponsiveness- don?t require any specific first-aid measures.

Do's and don’ts in first aid seizure management

What to do

  • Keep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.

  • Time the seizure with your watch.

  • Clear the area around the person of anything hard or sharp.

  • Loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult.

  • Put something flat and soft, like a folded jacket, under the head.

  • Turn him or her gently onto one side. This will help keep the airway clear. Do not try to force the mouth open with any hard implement or with fingers.

  • It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow his tongue. Efforts to hold the tongue down can injure teeth or jaw.

  • Stay with the person until the seizure ends naturally.

  • Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns.

What not to do

  • Don't hold the person down or try to stop his movements.

  • Don't attempt artificial respiration except in the unlikely event that a person does not start breathing again after the seizure has stopped.

  • Do not give the person water, pills, or food until fully alert.

  • Do not hold the person down

  • Do not attempt to restrain the person, or to stop the jerking.

  • Do not put anything in the person's mouth

When to call an ambulance

  • When the seizure activity lasts more than 5 minutes or a second seizure quickly follows.
  • If the person is not conscious within 5 minutes of the seizure stopping
  • The seizure occurs in water.
  • If the person is injured.
  • If the person is pregnant or has diabetes.

  • When you know, or believe it tobe, the person’s first seizure.

  • If in doubt

What should you do if child has seizure?

Different types of seizures may require different responses. See below for a breakdown of the most common types of seizures and what to do for the child in each case.

Generalized Tonic-Clonic or Grand Mal (Loss of Awareness)
  • Move child away from hard, sharp or hot objects.
  • Put something soft under child's head.
  • Turn child on one side to keep airway clear.
  • Do not put anything in child's mouth or give liquids or medicines during or immediately after the seizure.
  • Do not try to hold the child's tongue; it cannot be swallowed.
  • Do not restrain movement.
  • Reassure your child when consciousness returns.

 

Absence or Petit Mal (Loss of Awareness)
  • Observe the child carefully. Reassure the child if he or she is frightened or confused.
  • Try to count and record episodes.

Partial Seizure (No Loss of Awareness)
  • Observe the child carefully. Reassure the child if he or she is frightened or confused.
  • If the seizure becomes a convulsion or generalized seizure, follow the instruction indicated above.

Partial Seizures (Loss of Awareness)
  • Speak calmly to the child and other children around him or her.
  • If the child is walking, guide him or her gently to a safe place.
  • Stay close until the seizure has ended and the child is completely aware of where he or she is and can respond normally when spoken to.

Myoclonic Seizures (Loss of Awareness)
  • Speak calmly to the child and other children around him or her.
  • If the child is walking, guide him or her gently to a safe place.
  • Stay close until the seizure has ended and the child is completely aware
  • If the seizure is a first occurrence, a medical check-up is recommended.

Myoclonic Jerks (No Loss of Awareness)
  • Reassure the child and check to see if he or she got hurt from the fall.
  • If the seizure is a first occurrence, a medical check-up is recommended.

Atonic
  • Comfort the child if he or she is hurt.
  • A medical checkup is recommended.

Infantile Spasms
  • Look for clusters of attacks.
  • Comfort the child when the attacks occur.
  • Prompt medical attention is needed.

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