Five Things You Can Do to Help During a Seizure Attack.

23 Sep Five Things You Can Do to Help During a Seizure Attack.

You have probably seen it in the movies or seen it in real life. People living with epilepsy are at risk of having unprovoked seizures, which can be dangerous depending on when and where it happens. It is important that we know what to do to help when these emergencies occur. 

But first, what is epilepsy and what are seizures?

Epilepsy is a common condition of the brain in which a person tends to have recurrent unprovoked seizures. And seizures are sudden, uncontrolled body movements and changes in behaviour that occur because of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

One important thing to remember about seizures is that they are dangerous and carry varying degrees of risk. Furthermore, seizures can sometimes lead to injuries or falls, contributing to, or even causing, death. 

So, what can we do to help someone who is having a seizure?

If you are with someone having a sudden stiffening of the body followed by general muscles twitching and jerking (called tonic-clonic seizures), try doing the following:

1. Call for Help – Depending on where you are and the circumstance, you might need a helping hand. You can also dial for an emergency service if it is available in your location. 
2. If they are standing, lay them down on the floor gently to prevent them from fall injuries that could lead to trauma or grave injuries. 
3. Place something soft under their head and loosen any tight clothing. 
4. Roll them on their side (if they have food or fluid in their mouth, roll them onto their side immediately) during the seizure. 
5. Time the seizures if possible, using a watch or timer while calming and reassuring them.

It is very common practice to make attempts to put items like spoon in their mouth during a seizure episode. This is very wrong. Do not put anything into their mouth during a seizure to avoid dislodging their teeth and putting them at risk of choking on dislodged and foreign objects in their mouths.

If Seizures occurs in water, do the following:

1. Call for help immediately. 
2. If the person is in a pool, remove them from the water (if you have assistance) or when the jerking stops (if you are alone). 
3. Support and lift the person’s face out of the water. 
4. Tilt their head back to ensure a clear airway. 
5. Flotation devices may be useful when removing someone from water. 
6. Seek help if possible. 

Once out of the water, call for emergency services immediately then do the following:

1. Place the person on their side.
2. Check to see if they are breathing.
3. If they are not breathing, or they are not breathing normally, reposition the person onto their back and begin the appropriate form of CPR: CPR for adults is different to the CPR for young children and infants.

In the end, seizure attacks are emergencies that can provide helpful first aid that could spell the difference between a healthy life and sudden death. Don’t forget to share this post with everyone around you so that we can be of help in cases of emergencies like seizure attacks.

Reference:

Epilepsy – first aid and safety – Better Health Channel