Witnessing an epileptic seizure can be really scary. But we must know that most seizures do not represent an emergency; they stop on their own with no permanent side effects.
There is not much you can do to stop a seizure once it has started, but there are a number of simple steps we can take to protect someone from potential harm during a seizure. It’s worth knowing some of the basic first aid , and knowing when it’s time to call 911.
Types of seizures, degrees of danger
As we have already seen, some attacks are more dangerous than others. There are two main types: generalized seizures and partial seizures, which are also called focal seizures.
Focal-onset or partial seizures start in only one part of the brain. The arm may start to move or the face may start to shake. And although the patient is awake and conscious, he cannot control it. It is incapable. It may appear to be walking away or not looking at anything as the seizure becomes complex. Afterwards, you may not remember anything.
Generalized seizures involve multiple areas of the brain at once. Those affected are rarely aware of what is happening. The best-known type of seizure belongs to this group: the generalized tonic-clonic seizure (formerly known as a grand mal seizure). Witnessing it is terrifying and, in this case, it can be an alarm.
They have a set sequence of events:
– The patient may stop responding. He does not respond if you call him, he will not react if you wave a hand in front of his face or similar. It can suddenly collapse.
– His muscles tense and he stiffens like a board . This is the tonic phase. It lasts a few seconds.
– Then a series of sudden movements convulse his body . This is the clonic phase. It can last a few seconds or several minutes.
– Over time, the shaking stops and the patient regains consciousness. You may be confused or disoriented for a short period of time.
Any generalized seizure or attack can be dangerous because the patient is unaware of their surroundings and cannot protect themselves from harm. Uncontrolled movements during a generalized tonic-clonic seizure increase the chances of injury and can lead to an unwanted visit to the emergency room.
First aid
Above all, it is a matter of taking a series of precautions. We are more likely to need this first aid for a generalized tonic-clonic seizure than for a focal seizure.
This is what we can do:
-Keep other people out of the reach of the patient
-Remove hard or sharp objects from the patient’s reach
-Do not try to support the patient or stop their movements.
-Place the patient on his side, to help keep the airway clear.
-Look at the start time of the attack, to measure its duration.
-Don’t put anything in your mouth. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure or seizure, but if you put an object in the patient’s mouth, it could damage their teeth.
Mild seizures, such as brief shaking of the arms or legs, are not emergencies. But you must gently steer the patient away from anything that may be life-threatening. You may be in a state similar to sleepwalking, where traffic or stairs are life-threatening. Also, don’t forget that any activity related to an epileptic seizure should be brought to the attention of your doctor.
