Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures — episodes during which the brain has an unexpected, intense surge of electrical activity.
Nearly three million Americans live with epilepsy.
There are multiple types of seizures, but if you’re with a person coping with epilepsy and they start having a seizure, what should you do to help them weather it safely?
It’s understandable that when a seizure comes on out of the blue, it’s not only frightening for the person experiencing it, it’s also scary for those they’re with.
Fortunately, the experienced and caring provider team at Houston Neurological Institute offers exceptional treatment to people living with epilepsy, as well as education to their family members and friends about the best, safest way to respond when someone you love has a seizure.
There are myths as well as truths about seizures, and the more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be if you ever need to provide help.
There are two broad categories of seizures, focal and generalized. Focal seizures impact a single area of the brain, while generalized seizures affect all areas of the brain. There are different types of focal and generalized seizures, as well.
Depending on which type it is, focal seizures cause symptoms like abrupt screaming or laughing, unresponsiveness, repetitive movements, and the person experiencing the seizure may seem unaware of where they are.
A certain type of focal seizure called an occipital lobe seizure affects people’s vision, as well, so the impacted person could lose vision temporarily and even hallucinate.
Various types of generalized seizures cause stiff muscles and muscle control loss, which can result in the person falling. They might also make jerky facial, neck, upper body, or leg movements. Some seizures also cause jerking and twitching, or the person might bite their tongue.
You want to be well-prepared if someone around you has a seizure, and here’s where some of those myths we mentioned arise. One example is that you may have heard it’s possible for someone to swallow their tongue during a seizure. Thankfully, this can’t happen, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Here’s the correct “do and don’t” protocol to help someone experiencing a seizure.
This used to be advised when it was believed, incorrectly, that someone could swallow their tongue during a seizure. Now that we know this is impossible, nothing should be put in a person’s mouth who’s having a seizure. It could cause injury, like a chipped tooth, or it could even break their jaw.
This, too, can cause injury, specifically to the joints, and it can be disorienting. Another reason restraint isn’t advised is because it has no effect on shortening or ending the seizure, which can last from a number of seconds to a few minutes.
Just staying with the person who’s having the seizure and protecting them from perhaps injuring themselves on the objects surrounding them, like furniture, is critical. Time the seizure and note when they return to being awake and alert.
Ensure the person’s physical safety while they experience the seizure. What you do to protect them will depend on their specific symptoms, the environment, and other factors.
Turn the person on their side if they’re not aware of what’s going on or they’re not awake, so their airway can stay clear.
You should call 911 if the person:
A trained EMT can make the right decisions for the patient upon their arrival.
Check to see if they’re wearing a medical bracelet. It may contain information about their condition, medications, and emergency contacts.
Make sure the person is comfortable, explain what happened, and soothe them. Then, help them get home safely.
You can play an important role if someone has a sudden seizure.
As always, the team at Houston Neurological Institute is here to help, as well, with the most sophisticated diagnostic capabilities and treatments for epilepsy.
Call our Pasadena or Pearland office to schedule an appointment to learn more about epilepsy or to get a loved one diagnosed or treated. You may also make an appointment with our online booking tool.
