Seizures & Epilepsy
Seizures & Epilepsy
Epilepsy is just one cause of seizures – others include lack of oxygen to the brain, cardiac arrest, heady injury or raised body temperatures.
Signs & Symptoms
- Some casualties experience an ‘aura’ sensation before a seizure. Someone who has experienced seizures before might therefore be aware that they are about to have one.
- Initial stage – the body becomes rigid and the casualty falls. The casualty’s back may then arch and there may be blueness at the lips.
- Second stage – limbs start to jerk, eyes might roll back, and the teeth might clench with saliva coming out of the mouth. The casualty might lose some bowel and/or bladder control.
- Recovery stage – following the convulsions the casualty will likely remain unresponsive for a few minutes, with responsiveness gradually returning. The casualty might feel tired.
Treatment
- Assist the casualty to the floor.
- Try to find out if it has happened before (alert bracelet or someone who may know the person).
- Remove any danger, for example furniture nearby.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck, never put anything in the casualty’s mouth or try to restrain the casualty.
- Protect the head with your hands or fold up a coat or towel to place by the side of the head.
- Time the seizure duration.
- Check airway & breathing after the seizure, use the recovery position if they are unconscious.
- Call 999/112 if:
- It is the first seizure they have had
- The seizure is over 5 minutes duration
- The casualty has repeated seizures
- Any injuries have been sustained
- They haven’t regained consciousness.
Medical Emergencies
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