SEIZURES

What is a seizure?
Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the
brain. Seizures can make you pass out, or move or
behave strangely. Most seizures last only a few
seconds or minutes.
What are symptoms of a seizure?
There are different kinds of seizures. Each causes a
different set of symptoms.
1. “Tonic clonic" or "grand mal" seizures can cause entire body
stiffness and then jerking movements.
2. Partial seizures can cause shaking movements in just 1 arm or in
a part of their face.
3. Absence seizures cause people to suddenly stop responding
and stare for a few seconds.
Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nds2U4CzvC4
What is epilepsy?
• Epilepsy is a condition that causes people to have
repeated seizures.
• Not everyone who has had a seizure has epilepsy.
Problems such as low blood sugar or infection can also
cause seizures.
• Other problems such as anxiety or fainting spells can
cause events that look like seizures.
Seizure Response
1. Call for Emergency Medical Help
Seizure Response
2. Always Stay With the Person Until the Seizure Is Over
• Injury can occur during or after a seizure, requiring help from other
people.
Seizure Response
3. Turn person on their side
• If the person is lying down, turn them on their side, with their mouth
pointing to the ground. This prevents saliva from blocking their
airway and helps the person breathe more easily.
• Rescue breathing or CPR is generally not needed during these
seizure-induced changes in a person’s breathing.
Seizure Response
4. Do Not Put Anything in the Person's Mouth!
• Jaw and face muscles may tighten during a seizure, causing the
person to bite down. If this happens when something is in the
mouth, the person may break and swallow the object or break their
teeth!
• Do not Give Water, Pills or Food by Mouth Unless the Person is
Fully Alert
• Don’t worry - a person can’t swallow their tongue during a seizure.
Seizure Response
5. Move Nearby Objects Out of the Way
Seizure Response
6. Do Not Forcibly Hold the Person Down
• This doesn’t stop a seizure. Restraining a person can lead to
injuries and make the person more confused, agitated or
aggressive.
Seizure Response
7. Pay Attention to the Length of the Seizure
• Look at your watch and time the seizure – from beginning to the
end of the active seizure.
Seizure Response
8. Stay Calm, Most Seizures Only Last a Few Minutes
• Talk calmly and reassuringly to the person during and after the
seizure – it will help as they recover from the seizure.
• Encourage people to step back
Videos
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iooPE5LDKi8&list=PL
oMCl2sxgBYu3kBQnTllTVrLRVSoVTvN3