What To Do If You See Someone Having a Seizure
If you see someone having a seizure with convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, here's how you can help:
- Roll the person on his or her side to prevent choking on any fluids or vomit.
- Cushion the person's head.
- Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.
- Keep the person's airway open. If necessary, grip the person's jaw gently and tilt his or her head back.
- Do NOT restrict the person from moving unless he or she is in danger.
- Do NOT put anything into the person's mouth, not even medicine or liquid. These can cause choking or damage to the person's jaw, tongue, or teeth. Contrary to widespread belief, people cannot swallow their tongues during a seizure or any other time.
- Remove any sharp or solid objects that the person might hit during the seizure.
- Note how long the seizure lasts and what symptoms occurred so you can tell a doctor or emergency personnel if necessary.
- Stay with the person until the seizure ends.
Call 911 if:
The person is pregnant or has Diabetes.
The seizure happened in water.
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
The person does not begin breathing again or does not return to consciousness after the seizure stops.
Another seizure starts before the person regains consciousness.
The person injures himself or herself during the seizure.
This is a first seizure or you think it might be. If in doubt, check to see if the person has a medical identification card or jewelry stating that they have Epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
After the seizure ends, the person will probably be groggy and tired. He or she also may have a headache and be confused or embarrassed. Be patient with the person and try to help him or her find a place to rest if he or she is tired or doesn't feel well. If necessary, offer to call a taxi, a friend, or a relative to help the person get home safely.
If you see someone having a non-convulsive seizure, remember that the person's behavior is not intentional. The person may wander aimlessly or make alarming or unusual gestures. You can help by following these guidelines:
Remove any dangerous objects from the area around the person or in his or her path.
Don't try to stop the person from wandering unless he or she is in danger.
Don't shake the person or shout.
Stay with the person until he or she is completely alert.
Conclusion
Many people with epilepsy lead productive and outwardly normal lives. Medical and research advances in the past two decades have led to a better understanding of epilepsy and seizures than ever before. Advanced brain scans and other techniques allow greater accuracy in diagnosing epilepsy and determining when a patient may be helped by surgery. More than 20 different medications and a variety of surgical techniques are now available and provide good control of seizures for most people with epilepsy. Other treatment options include the ketogenic diet and the first implantable device, the vagus nerve stimulator. Research on the underlying causes of epilepsy, including identification of genes for some forms of epilepsy and febrile seizures, has led to a greatly improved understanding of epilepsy that may lead to more effective treatments or even new ways of preventing epilepsy in the future.
Additional Resources & Information:
For Children
Children and Medicine (Epilepsy Foundation)
Epilepsy (Nemours Foundation)
Epilepsy (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities)
Epilepsy Foundation Kid's Club (Epilepsy Foundation)
For Parents: Introduction to Epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation)
General Information about Epilepsy in Children (Epilepsy Foundation)
Infantile Spasms (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Your Child at School (Epilepsy Foundation)
For Teenagers
Epilepsy (Nemours Foundation)
General Information about Teenagers with Epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation)
Wanna Know? (Epilepsy Foundation)
For Women
Epilepsy and Pregnancy: Healthy Choices for a Healthy Baby (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Epilepsy and Pregnancy: What You Should Know (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Women and Epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation)
For Seniors
Epilepsy in the Elderly (Epilepsy Foundation)
