Overview
When a person has seizures that are reoccurring, they are often labeled as having epilepsy. For those who do have this issue, around 70% of people are able to control this with the use of medications. There are various reasons why these seizures occur, there are also various types of seizures and various lengths in which these seizures last. For those who have seizures, they have to look at their occupation as well as their leisure activities for how this can be done with dealing with seizures.
For those who do have seizures, there is only a small chance that these seizures could result in death or brain damage. The most harm comes from the person doing something when they have a seizure and causing harm to themselves.
First Aid for Epileptic Seizures
For those who are around someone who has tonic-clonic seizures, where the muscles stiffen and the person falls, then the first aid for this is:
Remain with the person and keep yourself calm- Starting timing the length of the seizure
- Remove any objects that the person could come in contact with that could cause harm
- Put something soft under the person’s head and loosen any tight clothing around their neck
- Gently roll the person to their side so that their breathing is not interfered with from their tongue and try to talk to the person so that you know when the person is back at themselves.
- Always reassure the person and do not cause them embarrassment while they are recovering
- It can take five to twenty minutes to recover, and you should say with the person the whole time
You should never:
- Force anything into their mouth since they can choke
- Restrain the person since
- Give anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
When to Call Emergency Responders
There are situations in which you should call emergency responders. This should be the action to take when:
- The seizure lasts for longer than five minutes
- They have another seizure immediately after the first
- The person is having trouble breathing
- The seizure occurs in water
- The person is pregnant or injured
- You do not know if the person has seizures or if this is something that just happened
- If you have any doubts about the situation
Unless the person has an epilepsy manage plan that states otherwise, when the seizure lasts for longer than five minutes, immediately call emergency responders.