Seizure is a condition where your brain cells malfunction causing uncontrollable electrical activity(1). This will manifest as uncontrolled movements, sudden onset behavior changes, loss of consciousness, altered sensation, and many others.
About 1 out of 10 people in the world have experienced a seizure during their lifetime(2). So, seizures are a lot more common than we expect and it will come in handy if you know how to take care of a patient during a seizure.
Recurrent unprovoked seizures are known as epilepsy. These patients are prone to frequent seizure episodes. So they need to be controlled with a group of medications known as anti-epileptic drugs. Also, the triggers for a seizure need to be removed.
A seizure is a benign condition in most cases. Most of the time during a seizure, you don’t need to do anything specific to stop it as it is a self-limiting condition. But it is important to note that the patient may prone to injuries during an episode as he/she is usually unconscious.
Here are 5 important measures that you need to keep in mind if you encounter a patient with seizures to prevent further injuries.
Also, it is very important to note that if the seizure is not settling within a few minutes, the patient needs to be hospitalized to prevent life-threatening injuries.
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1. Keep the Surroundings Safe
Most of the time the patient is unconscious during a seizure episode. And there’s a high risk of getting injured from the surrounding. For example, drowning, fire injuries, and falling from heights. So, if you encounter a patient with a seizure, it is very important to keep the environment safe for the patient as well as yourself.
2. Do Not Try to Stop the Movement
The movement during a seizure episode is a response to the uncontrolled electrical activity of the brain. This is known as a convulsion. Although the abnormal movement looks scary at times, it is usually self-limiting. Trying forcibly to stop the movement can cause harm to the muscles and joints. So, it is advisable to leave the patient until the seizure resolves.
3. Place on the Lateral Side
During a seizure, placing the patient on the lateral side helps in preventing aspiration. Aspiration is when your stomach contents regurgitate and enter into lungs. This will eventually lead to aspiration pneumonia which is a serious health condition and even can lead to death(3).
4. Don’t Put Anything into the Mouth
It is a common misconception that putting metal objects in the mouth prevents teeth from getting damaged during a seizure. This action is not only proven, but also can cause damage to the oral cavity and the patient may end up swallowing or aspirating the object. So, it is not advisable to put objects in the oral cavity to prevent the seizure.
5. Record the Seizure Episode
It is very important to record during the seizure episode because it can help your health provider to confirm an actual seizure and will help in further treatment. So, rather than getting excited and doing things that are not of very use, it is important to record the episode if it is possible.
Summary
Seizure is a condition where your brain has uncontrollable electrical activity manifesting as abnormal movements, sensations, and behavioral changes. A seizure is a commonly encountered medical problem and it is very useful to know what to do if you encounter a patient with a seizure episode. These measures are taken to prevent patients from getting injuries. Usually, a seizure is a self-limiting condition, and with supportive care, the patient can be managed without any problems.
Resources
- Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Seizure. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22789-seizure
- Seizure First Aid | Epilepsy | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm
- DeToledo, J. C., & Lowe, M. R. (2001). Seizures, lateral decubitus, aspiration, and shoulder dislocation: Time to change the guidelines? Neurology, 56(3), 290–291. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.56.3.290
