DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND HEALTH SCIENCE

HPE 113; HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

TOPIC:

First aid: SEIZURES

BY

GROUP 9:

EZRA ODHIAMBO 20-0598

VICTORIA KUWONA 19-0442

MARION OUMA 21-2659

WANGARE NGANGA 20-1263

MICHAEL OGATO 22-3561

EKITELA JEFF 20-1133

JEREMIE NDAHURA 21-0195

TAMARA SYONUU 20-1150

January Semester
 1. Different definitions of seizure

1. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a seizure is "a sudden attack (as of

disease); especially the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or
loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in
epilepsy)."
2. The American Red Cross defines a seizure as "a sudden surge of electrical activity in the
brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time."
3. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines a seizure as
"a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or
acts for a short time. Seizures can cause a wide range of symptoms, including temporary
confusion, staring spells, uncontrollable jerking movements, and loss of consciousness."
4. The Mayo Clinic defines a seizure as "a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the
brain that can cause changes in behavior, movements or feelings, and in some cases,
cause loss of consciousness."
5. The Epilepsy Foundation defines a seizure as "a sudden surge of electrical activity in the
brain that can cause changes in sensation, behavior, or movement. Seizures vary in
severity and symptoms."
2. Types of seizures

There are several types of seizures;

- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures: This is the type of seizure that lasts for a few minutes
and thereafter a person feels tired and sleepy. There can also be stiffening of muscles
(tonic) and shaking of the body(clonic).
- Focal epilepsy: This is the type of seizure that affects an area of the brain then affects the
other parts that are controlled by the brain.
- Atonic seizure: They can also be known as drop attacks and happens mostly in children
where there’s a sudden loss of muscle tone and the child fall. Can be dangerous.
 - Infantile spasm: The type of seizures that occur to infants below the age of 6 months. Its
however a rare type of seizure. The infant can move the neck and legs and they have
hundreds of these in a day
- Absence seizures: Can also be referred to as petit mal seizures. This is the type of seizure
where there’s a brief state of consciousness and staring episodes. The child’s posture is
maintained during the seizure. The mouth or face may move or the eyes may blink. The
seizure doesn’t last more than 30 second. When the seizure is over, the child may not
recall what just occurred and may go on with his/her activities, acting as though nothing
happened. These seizures may occur several times a day.
- Complex partial seizures: This is the type of seizure that begins as a simple partial
seizure then progresses to other parts if the brain and affect the consciousness and cause
staring and confusion and sometimes lip smacking and repetition of words.

3. Cause of seizures.

There are many causes of seizures. Here are some of them:

- Alcohol misuse especially during withdrawal times or during extreme intoxication.

- Infection of the brain or brain tumors like cancer, meningitis or encephalitis can cause
seizure.
- Severe general illness including a severe infection of COVID-19.
- Lack of sleep: Certain medicines that treats pain, depression or those that stops smoking
addiction makes it easy to have seizures.
- Legal or illegal drugs such as amphetamine: caffeine and cocaine that are sold on the
streets. Head trauma or injury that can cause bleeding in the brain or even stroke which
can cause seizure.
- Genetics: some genetic disorders that are inherited from birth can also cause seizure.
- Metabolic disorders: certain metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia and electrolyte
imbalances like low sodium, calcium or magnesium can also cause seizures.
 4. Signs and symptoms of seizure.

Seizures can present in a variety of ways and may differ from person to person. Some common
signs and symptoms of seizures include:

- Convulsion or jerking movements of the body: These may occur in one part of the
body or spread to the whole body.
- Loss of consciousness: The person may become unresponsive and not remember what
during the seizure.
- Staring spells: The person may stare blankly for a few seconds or minutes.
- Confusion: The person may appear confused, disoriented, or have difficulty speaking.
- Aura: A person may experience an aura which is a feeling or sensation that precedes a
seizure. Auras can vary from person to person but may include a strange taste or smell, a
tingling sensation, or a feeling of anxiety.
- Temporary cessation of breathing: The person may stop breathing for a brief period.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control: The person may lose control of their bladder or
bowels during the seizure.

It’s important to note that not all seizures are the same, and some people may experience
different symptoms or not at all.

5. Treatments.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that results in recurrent seizures. Fortunately, treatment can
help most people with epilepsy have fewer seizures or stop having them completely. In some
cases, individuals may not require any treatment if they are aware of their seizure triggers and
can avoid them.

Seizures can be treated through various methods, including medication, surgery, and lifestyle
changes. The most common approach to managing seizures is through the use of anti-epileptic
drugs (AEDs), which stabilize brain cell activity and reduce the frequency and severity of
seizures. A healthcare provider will determine the appropriate medication based on the type and
severity of the seizures.

In addition to medication, certain lifestyle changes can also help reduce the frequency and
severity of seizures. These include getting enough sleep, avoiding stress, eating a healthy diet,
avoiding alcohol and drugs, and managing other medical conditions that may trigger seizures.

Surgery may be an option if medication and lifestyle changes are ineffective in controlling
seizures. This involves removing a small part of the brain that has been identified as the cause of
the seizures. Other procedures, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which involves
implanting a device that stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce seizure activity, may also be
considered.

The ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, may also help to reduce seizures in some
people and may be considered an option.

Some individuals may need lifelong treatment, while others may be able to stop treatment if their
seizures disappear over time. It is essential to follow any advice provided by healthcare providers
regarding when to take AEDs and how much to take, and to never abruptly stop taking an AED,
as doing so could trigger a seizure. Side effects are common when starting treatment with AEDs,
so a specialist should assist the patient in finding the best option.

6. Dos and Don’ts

Here are some things you can do to assist someone experiencing this type of seizure:

• Gently lower the person to the floor

. • Gently turn the person to one side. This will allow the person to breathe easier.
• Remove anything hard or sharp from the area around the person. This can help to avoid harm.

• Place something soft and flat beneath his or her head, such as a folded jacket.

• Take off your spectacles.

• Remove any ties or other items from around the neck that may restrict breathing.

· Keep track of when the seizure occurs. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, call 911.

It is critical to understand what NOT to do in order to keep a person safe during or after a
seizure.

Never, ever do any of the following:

- Do not restrain the individual or attempt to halt his or her movements.

- Put nothing in the person's mouth. This can result in tooth or jaw damage. A person who
is having a seizure is unable to swallow his or her tongue.
- Do not attempt to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing (also known as CPR). Following a
seizure, most people resume breathing on their own.
- Do not give the person water or food until he or she has recovered completely

PREVENTION OF SEIZURES:

Here are some of the ways to prevent seizures:

- Recognizing and keeping an eye out for specific behaviors, settings, or physical and
mental indications that precede attacks, it is possible to attempt and prevent the seizures.
For instance, it's not unusual to feel irritated or euphoric several hours before a grand mal
seizure, as well as right before the attack.
- Additionally, the individual might notice a warning "aura" that could be a flavor or smell:
This alert might give you enough time to lay down and stop falling. Some people can
prevent seizures when the aura involves a strong odor, such as roses or garlic, by inhaling
it. An extra dose of medication (with a doctor's consent) may help prevent an attack when
 the warning signals include depression, irritability, or headache. Squeezing the muscles
around the twitching ones in a Jacksonian seizure can occasionally stop the episode.
- If the seizures are not completely under control, take safety measures. Avoid or restrict
alcohol consumption, observe seizure-free driving laws, and inform family members of
how to prevent injury in the event of a seizure. Instruct them to keep you from falling and
to turn you onto your side if you become unconscious.
- Use all medications as recommended.
- Sleep deprivation is a major cause of seizures. Getting adequate sleep might lower the
stress levels and help to prevent seizures.
- Flashing lights is a well-known seizure trigger. Limiting the exposure to flashing lights is
important in the case of photosensitive epilepsy.
 Sources

American Red Cross. (2020). First Aid/CPR/AED Participant's Manual (Updated 2020).
StayWell.

St. John Ambulance. (2017). First Aid Manual (10th ed.). Dorling Kindersley.

Definition of seizure. (2023). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/seizure

Seizures - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 4). Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20365711