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ARE ALL EPILEPTIC SEIZURES THE SAME?

There are many different kinds of epileptic seizure and the action required during and after a seizure will depend on the seizure type. Some people may experience more than one kind of seizure. Some people only experience seizures when they are asleep

HOW TO MANAGE A CONVULSIVE SEIZURE

 

(tonic clonic or clonic - previously known as Grand Mal) Most seizures happen without warning, last only a short time and stop without any special treatment. Injuries can occur, but most people do not come to any harm in a seizure, and do not usually need to go to hospital or see a doctor. When a person has a convulsive seizure it is possible that their regular breathing pattern will be interrupted and their colour, especially their lips, may be blue. Although this can be frightening to witness, it does not usually mean it is a medical emergency. (This is explained in more detail below).


 WHAT TO DO DURING A CONVULSIVE SEIZURE

 

bullet Do prevent others from crowding round.
bullet Do put something soft under the person’s head  to prevent injury.
bullet Do move the person ONLY if they are in a dangerous place, e.g. in the road, top of stairs.
bullet Do move furniture and objects away from the person, not the other way round.
bullet Do respect the person’s privacy.
bullet Do stay with the person, reassuring them they are safe
bullet Do try and time the seizure

DO NOT

bullet Do not attempt to restrain the convulsive movements. Allow the seizure to take its course.
bullet Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. There is no danger of swallowing the tongue and teeth can easily be broken.

WHEN THE SEIZURE HAS STOPPED

bullet Roll the person, if possible, on to their side into the recovery position.
bullet Wipe away any excess saliva and if breathing is still laboured check that nothing is blocking the throat such as dentures or food.
bullet Do all you can to minimise embarrassment. If the person has been incontinent, deal with this as privately as possible.
bullet Stay with the person giving reassurance until they have fully recovered.

 

IT IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SOUGHT IF

 

bullet Someone has injured themselves badly in a seizure.
bullet They have trouble breathing after a seizure.
bullet One seizure immediately follows another or the seizure lasts more than five minutes and you do not know how long they usually last.
bullet The seizure continues for longer than usual for that person.
bullet It is someone’s first seizure or you don’t know whether the person has had one in the past

ACTION FOR OTHER SEIZURE TYPES

COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES

The person becomes suddenly confused, wanders around aimlessly or acts as if they do not understand what they are doing (picks up objects, removes clothes, etc):

Do not restrain the person, but guide away from danger, such as wandering into the road; speak gently and calmly to the person to help reorientation to surroundings as quickly as possible.

 

SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES

 

In these types of seizures there is no loss of consciousness and the person is aware of what is happening to them. However, the seizure effects can be disturbing for the person experiencing them and reassurance and comfort may be appropriate. If this type of seizure is a warning (sometimes called an aura) that a convulsive seizure will follow, the person may need assistance in making themselves as safe as possible before it occurs.

 

TONIC AND ATONIC SEIZURES

 

The person falls and then recovers with or without confusion: Reassure, check for injury and stay with them until fully recovered.

 

ABSENCE SEIZURES

 

(previously known as petit mal) The person has a brief interruption of consciousness.  This type of seizure is usually very brief, but the person may need to be guided away from danger.

 

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

 

Due to loss of awareness or consciousness, people with epilepsy often do not know what happens to them during a seizure  Observers can provide vital information for the GP or neurologist, which can be very helpful in making a diagnosis of epilepsy and to determine what types of seizures are occurring.  This enables the doctor to prescribe suitable anti-epileptic medication.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY BE HELPFUL IN THIS WAY

bullet Keep a record of the dates and times that the seizures occur and how long for.
bullet Where was the person? What was he or she doing?
bullet Did the person mention any unusual sensations
bullet Did you notice any mood change
bullet What brought your attention to the seizures?
bullet Did the seizure occur without warning?
bullet Was there any loss of consciousness or an altered state of awareness?
bullet Did the person's colour alter?
bullet Did any parts of the body stiffen, jerk or twitch? If so which parts?
bullet Did the person's breathing alter?
bullet Did the person perform any actions, eg. mumble, wander about, fumble with clothing?
bullet Was the person incontinent?
bullet Did they bite their tongue?
bullet How were they after the seizure?
bullet Did they need to sleep? If so, for how long?
bullet How long before the person was able to resume their normal activities?
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Last modified: 04/03/2009