Seizure First Aid

It is estimated that 1 in 10 people will have a seizure at some point during their lifetime.

Below are some tips to help in the event you witness a seizure:

• Lower the person to the  floor and then turn them onto their side to help avoid aspiration. 
• Clear the area of any hard or sharp objects. If available, place something soft, such as a folded jacket, under their head. 
• Occasionally a person can become agitated; in that case, it is best to speak calmly. Do not hold down the patient or try to restrain their movements. Contrary to previous beliefs, it is no longer advised to place anything in the person’s mouth— this can further injure the patient or pose a choking hazard. 
• Stay with the person until they are fully awake and time the duration of the seizure. After a seizure, it is quite common for the patient to be confused or slow to respond. 
• In most situations, 911 will be called especially if the person is a stranger to you, or if it is their – first seizure. If the patient has a known history of epilepsy, it may not always be necessary to call EMS for every seizure. This is best discussed with the patient’s epilepsy specialist. However, 911 should always be called for seizures lasting longer than – five minutes or if a patient experiences back-to-back seizures within a short period of time. If you or a loved one suffer from recurrent seizures, the following tips can also be helpful to prevent further episodes: 
• Take medication as directed. Be careful not to miss any doses. Do not lower or change doses without instruction of your healthcare provider. 
• Sleep deprivation and other elements, such as drugs and alcohol, can trigger seizures. Talk with your doctor regarding alcohol use and attempt to get at least 7 or more hours of sleep each night. 
• Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can trigger or worsen seizures. These can include common OTC medications such as Benadryl and some pain medications. Please review all medications you take with your epilepsy specialist to help minimize the risk of further seizures.