Guide To First Aid For Seizures

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What Is A Seizure?

First Aid For SeizuresA seizure is a sudden, excessive, abnormal electrical activity of the brain resulting in the disruption of the brain’s normal neural conduction. Seizure activities are an acute condition that requires immediate intervention. Many people think that seizure and epilepsy are one; but the truth is that seizure is a non-chronic condition while epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by repeated seizure attacks.

What To Do In Case of Seizure

A lot of people think that they are ill-equipped to handle a seizure attack if it happens. Most of the time, people would hesitate helping the victim in the fear that they would only cause further harm. They forget that they already possess the one important tool in handling this emergency – common sense. Basically, first aid for seizure is simple and not complicated. Majority of seizure attacks that occur involves a relatively short moments of unresponsiveness which don’t require any advanced first aid treatment. However, management of seizure involves a series of actions, each having its own medical rationale. If you haven’t completed or attended any first aid training course, you can check with your nearest workplace approved chapter or community for trainings being offered.

Here are few simple, common-sense interventions that you can do in case you witness a seizure event.

  • Keep calm.
  • Ensure safety of the person.
  • If the person is about to collapse, have him or her lean against your body while slowly being guided to the floor.
  • Loosen clothing or remove jewelry from around the person’s neck.
  • Avoid injury. Clear the immediate surroundings of any object that could pose harm to the person if accidentally struck, such as sharps, furniture, glasses and other objects.
  • Take note of the body movements and duration of the seizure.
  • Provide a comfortable environment.
  • Keep bystanders away and avoid overcrowding the scene.
  • Do not force the person in lying position. A person suffering from seizure does not usually require restraint.
  • Clear the mouth of any possible obstruction, such as dentures, if possible.
  • Contrary to what many people think, do not put anything in the victim’s mouth. Some people think that they should put their finger or a spoon in the mouth of the person to prevent the tongue from being swallowed.
  • Do not give food, water or pills unless the person is fully conscious and the seizure attack has stopped.
  • Dial 911 or contact your local emergency service if seizure persists for more than five minutes.
  • Be supportive and sensitive to the person. Stay with the person until he or she recovers, or until emergency service arrives.

After the seizure activity subsides, place the person in left side-lying position to avoid aspiration. Take note that the person may vomit after the seizure. In case he vomits while unconscious, slightly turn the head to side to drain out the contents of the mouth.

Related Video to treating Seizures

 

1 thought on “Guide To First Aid For Seizures”

  1. Fact: One in 100 teenagers has it.Fact: It’s a disredor of the brain that sometimes makes people have seizures.Fact: It’s not contagious.Fact: It can be caused by anything that damages the brain. In most cases, the cause is unknown.Fact: Seizures happen when there’s a brief glitch in the brain’s electrical activity.Fact: There are different kinds of seizures. Some are convulsions. Others make people stare into space or act confused.Fact: Most seizures are over in seconds or a couple of minutes.Fact: Epilepsy affects people from all walks of life. More than 350,000 African-Americans have epilepsy. About 24,000 African-Americans are diagnosed with epilepsy each year.Fact: Teens with epilepsy take daily medication to prevent seizures. Some use other kinds of treatment.Fact: Some teens have lots of seizures. Some have very few, or none at all.Fact: Teens with epilepsy play sports, hang out, and go to regular schools. Teens who are seizure-free may be able to get drivers’ licenses.Fact: Teens with epilepsy want to be respected by other teens and treated just like anybody else.

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