Seizures
Alternative names:
convulsions
Home care:
Follow your health care provider's recommendations. Known epileptics should always wear a medical alert tag.
See seizure-first aid.
There is nothing you can do to stop convulsions once they have started. All that can be done is to help protect the victim from injury and get medical help as needed. Clear furniture and sharp objects from the area around the victim. If vomiting occurs, turn the victim's head so that the vomitus is expelled. If the victim is unconscious, keep the airway open, and be prepared to administer CPR if necessary.
In an infant or child, if the seizure seems to be the result of high fever, cool the child gradually, using a dampened sponge or cool compress and tepid water. An appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used if the child is awake. DO NOT, however, immerse the child in a cold bath.
After a convulsion, most victims go into a deep sleep. Don't prevent the victim from sleeping. He or she will probably be disoriented for awhile after awakening.
Stay with the victim until recovery or until you have professional medical help. Meanwhile, monitor their vital signs (pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure).
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 your health care provider if:
- there is any seizure, even a mild one. Report seizures to the health care provider.
Note: This is not a trivial symptom. If this is the first time the person has had a seizure (there is no previous history of epilepsy), or if this is a new type of seizure for the person, they should be seen right away (go to the emergency room if necessary).
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting a seizure in detail may include: - location
- Did it occur on one side only (unilateral)?
- Did it affect only a part of the body?
- quality
- Was it a major movement (convulsion) seizure?
- Did it have a known cause (such as known epilepsy or a recent head injury)?
- Was consciousness maintained during the seizure?
- Was it a rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the face, arm, or leg muscles?
- Was it a petit mal seizure (staring episode or similar activity)?
- Were there prolonged muscle contractions only?
- Was there a period of prolonged muscle contraction AND a period of muscle contraction alternating with relaxation?
- time pattern
- How long did the seizure last (how many seconds)?
- Is this the first time the person has had this type of a seizure?
- Have they ever had a seizure that lasted longer than 2 or 3 minutes?
- Have they ever had a seizure that involved large muscle movements (convulsion)?
- other
The physical examination may include a neurological examination. The occurrence, nature, and duration of the seizures will be assessed.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Intervention:
Medications are often prescribed. Strict compliance with drug therapy, if appropriate, will be emphasized. Depending on the cause, surgery may be recommended.
Family members should be asked to observe and record seizure activity to ensure proper treatment.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to seizures to your personal medical record.
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