Alternate Names : Convulsion, Fit, Epilepsy
What are the treatments for the injury?
When a seizure occurs, the first treatment is to keep the person safe. Anyone giving first aid to a person having a seizure should follow these steps:
If possible, move furniture and other sharp objects away from the person.
If the victim starts to vomit, roll him or her on his or her side.
Protect the person from falling and from hitting his or her head.
Stay with the victim and get help from his or her healthcare professional.
Try to prevent the victim from hurting him or herself or someone nearby.
When someone has a seizure, it's important that bystanders do not:
move the victim, unless he or she is in serious danger
place fingers in the victim's mouth
restrain the victim
slap the victim or try to stop him or her from convulsing
try to give rescue breaths or CPR during the seizure
If an infant or a child is having a seizure that seems to be caused by a high fever, it is important to cool the body slowly. Do not immerse the child in a cold bath. Instead, use a sponge or cool compress with lukewarm water.
After a seizure is over, the victim will probably want to sleep. This is OK. He or she will also be somewhat disoriented. The period following a seizure is called the postictal phase.
Contact emergency medical services right away if:
seizures are lasting longer than 2 minutes
the victim had a seizure while in water
the victim has never had a seizure before
the victim has other health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure
the victim is having many seizures
the victim is ill, has a fever, seems very weak, or is drunk
the victim is not able to be awakened between seizures
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Seizures can injure the person and anyone giving first aid. The person can end up with head injuries, cuts, abrasions, scratches, and injured limbs. The person's flailing arms or other body parts can hurt anyone who is helping. Sometimes seizures last so long that the person loses consciousness. And rarely, the person can have brain damage.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
A healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to prevent future seizures. It is also important to control high blood pressure or heart disease. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.