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"If
the normal functions of the brain are upset by injury, infection, or disease,
the electrical activity of the brain can become irregular. This irregularity can bring about
sudden changes in sensation, behavior, or movement, called seizures. Some seizures involve the uncontrolled
muscular movements that are often called convulsions." (Emergency Care, 6th
edition, Brady, 1994). Below you
will find information on the different types of seizures and what you can do to
help someone having a seizure.
Again, this is NOT a substitute for formal hands-on training, but for
information.
h
Simple Partial Seizures - There is a tingling, stiffening, or
jerking in just one part of the body.
There is no loss of consciousness.
o
Do not restrain the person, simply remove objects from their
path and guide them away from danger.
h
Complex Partial Seizure - Characterized by abnormal behavior
that varies widely from person to person.
May involve confusion, glassy stare, aimless moving about, lip smacking
or chewing, or fidgeting with clothes.
They may appear drunk or on drugs but rarely violent. There is no loss of consciousness but
may be confused and have no memory of the event.
o
Do not restrain the person, simply remove objects from their
path and guide them away from danger.
h
Tonic-Clonic Seizure (grand mal) - Characterized by
unconsciousness and major motor activity.
The person will thrash about wildly, using their entire body. The convulsions usually last only a few
minutes and has three distinct phases:
·
Tonic phase - body become rigid, stiffening for no more than 30
seconds, breathing may stop, may bite tongue, may lose bowel and bladder
control
·
Clonic phase - body jerks about violently, usually no more than
1 or 2 minutes, may foam at the mouth and drool, face and lips often become
cyanotic (bluish)
·
Postictal phase - begins when convulsions stop, may regain
consciousness immediately then become drowsy and confused or may remain
unconscious for hours, headache is common
o
Place on floor or ground and position for drainage from the
mouth if possible
o
Loosen restrictive clothing
o
Remove objects from area that may harm person
o
Protect person from injury
o
DO NOT attempt to restrain person - further injury
may occur
o
DO NOT attempt to put anything in person's mouth - further injury
may occur
o
After convulsions, keep person at rest, position for drainage,
assess ABCs, activate EMS system if needed.
h
Absence Seizures (petit mal) - seizure is brief, usually on 1
to 10 seconds, no dramatic motor activity and the person usually does not slump
or fall. Instead there is a
temporary loss of concentration or awareness and may not be noticeable to
anyone but the person or members of their family.
o
No specific first aid is generally required.