What to Do When Someone Has a Seizure?

A seizure is an uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that can manifest as a wide variety of physical and mental symptoms. 

They may be brief episodes of confusion or severe convulsions, but in some cases, to the loss of consciousness. 

If you never see a person have a seizure, then you are lucky, as the situation might be very frightening for you. Knowing what to do when somebody has a seizure can actually help you minimize the dangers and guarantee that the individual receives proper care as soon as possible. 

This blog will share some of the necessary guidelines on seizure first aid management, including the symptoms of a seizure and how to react if you witness one. 

Know More About Seizure

Symptoms Recognition: Mirgi Symptoms

For effective first aid treatment for epilepsy, there first needs to be the recognition of the symptoms of a seizure, which are referred to locally as mirgi. 

Seizures are categorized into various forms, and some of the most commonly experienced symptoms are – 

• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Involuntary shaking or jerking of limbs
• Blank staring
• Disorientation or confusion
• Biting of the tongue or mouth
• Strange sounds, such as grunting or moaning

Suppose you encounter the above mirgi symptoms in a person. In that case, it may be an indication that he is experiencing an epileptic seizure, and there is a need to consult the best neurosurgeon in Hyderabad immediately. 

What to Do During a Seizure?

Having a seizure can be a terrifying experience, especially for the first time. The important thing in such situations is to remain calm and concentrate on these very effective first-aid seizure management techniques for the safety of the person. Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Stay Calm and Ensure Safety

The most important thing is to remain calm. Although it would overwhelm anyone, keeping your head cool is what will help clear your mind. Start by getting anything you can from around you that could hurt you, such as furniture, sharp objects, or hot surfaces.

2. Make the Person Lie Down

If a person is sitting or standing, guide them gradually downwards to the floor. Use the bottom of a folded jacket or a cushion to cushion their head so they do not hurt it. If the person collapses, caution them not to use any force to restrict their movements. 

3. Roll the Person onto Their Side

Rolling the individual onto their side will prevent them from aspirating if they vomit during the seizure. It also keeps their airway open. Do not pry open their mouth or place anything between their teeth, as this may cause injuries. 

4. Time of Seizure

One of the first aid for fits is to note the time that the seizure started and when it ended. Typically, seizures do not last any longer than several minutes. Still, if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it is a medical emergency and, in that case, call for medical assistance or drive them to a hospital immediately. 

5. Do Not Try to Restrain the Person

Never try to restrain the person or hold them down physically. Seizures are automatic, and movement restraining may cause injuries.

6. Be with the Person

Stay with the victim until the seizure is entirely gone. Reassure them when they come out of their seizure because they may be confused or disoriented. Keep them calm and whisper to them. 

How to Stop a Seizure? 

In most cases most seizures end on their own within a few minutes. But there are some situations when immediate medical attention is needed, and you should know the emergency management of seizures –

•  If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
• If another seizure occurs shortly after the first one, this is also referred to as status epilepticus. 
• If the person hurts themselves while taking the seizure. 
• If the person cannot breathe or becomes bluish.
• If the person is pregnant, diabetic, or has some other pre-existing medical condition that may worsen this condition, you should immediately call an ambulance and seek a doctor’s help. 

What to Do After Someone Has a Seizure?

Once the convulsion is over, a patient often is disoriented, tired, or confused. Follow these steps to take care of the patient- 

1. Offer Water

If the victim is fully conscious and aware, invite him to drink some water to replenish his lost fluids. Do not give them anything to drink or eat after a seizure, for they may still seem tired or confused. 

2. Console the Person 

He might be frightened or embarrassed by the seizure. Explain what happened to him and comfort him. He likely will not remember the seizure. 

3. Watch for the  Second Seizure 

Keep an eye on the person in case of a second seizure. If another seizure takes place shortly after the first one, call emergency services right away. 

4. Seek Medical Attention 

If this is the individual’s first seizure, advise them to go and see a neuro specialist Hyderabad for themselves. It’s a critical period, and one must know what actually triggered the condition and what the course of correct treatment is. 

Epilepsy Treatment First Aid: How to Look After an Epileptic Patient

Understanding how to care for a person having a seizure is essential for any individual who may encounter people at risk of seizures. Carefully read these points to know what to do during an epileptic attack: 

• Remain calm and make sure that the surrounding area is safe. 
• Assist the person onto the floor with their head safely cushioned. 
• Roll them onto their side to keep the airway open. 
• Do not try to restrain the seizure or hold on to them. 
• Measure the duration of the seizure and call a caregiver if that is required. 

Conclusion

Seizures can be a frightening experience for a patient and for the people around that patient. With proper care and attention, you can take care of the mirgi patient. We hope that with this blog, you know how to manage seizures so that the individual becomes safe properly. 

Always be composed, take all precautions, and, in case of suspicion, seek medical advice as early as possible. Consult Dr Raveesh Sunkara, one of the top neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, and get proper treatment for seizures. 

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