May 1, 2024

How to help someone with seizures

In Britain, there’s a Mastiff who’s reported to sense the seizures of a toddler in his house. He detects it in advance and leads her to some safe spot, helps her lay down and stays with her before the seizure is over.

If dogs can perform it, can humans? Our expert weighs in on which you can do if someone has an epileptic seizure.?

According towards the Epilepsy Foundation, the most important goal of seizure care would be to keep the person safe before the seizure stops naturally by itself.?

Dr. Prashanti Boppana, neurologist with Advocate Medical Group in Glenview, Ill., says that the following are probably the most essential things to keep in mind when providing aid for seizures:?

  • Help ease the individual to the floor so that they are lying down
  • Position the individual on his or her side to keep her or him from choking if excessive drooling or vomiting occurs
  • Loosen tight clothing, especially around the neck
  • Put something soft under his or her head
  • Clear the region of anything sharp or dangerous
  • Stay with the person until the seizure ends
  • Do NOT put anything within the mouth
  • Do NOT try to restrain the individual or try to steer clear of the movements

Dr. Boppana says that timing the seizure may also be helpful. Emergency responders may ask just how long the seizure lasted and just how long the person was unconscious.

The Epilepsy Foundation recommends calling 911 if the following occur:

  • This may be the first occurrence of the seizure
  • The person is injured or hit his or her head
  • The seizure occurred in the water
  • The convulsive area of the seizure lasted a lot more than 5 minutes
  • A second seizure occurs right after the first
  • The individual is unconscious for more than Five to ten minutes
  • The person has diabetes or perhaps is pregnant?

Dr. Boppana says that oftentimes after an energetic seizure, there is an altered state of consciousness that can last from five to 30 minutes or even more.?

“During that point, the person might be groggy or perhaps still unconscious,” she says. “The smartest thing you should do is to become exist for calm and reorient the individual until he or she regains full consciousness and awareness.”?

Dr. Boppana says that different ways to help include:?

  • Offer to call taxis, friend or relative to assist the person go back home safely
  • Offer to supply information about what you witnessed; doctors will want to understand what happened, and also the individual who experienced it might not have a very good recollection?

How are you able to determine if someone has epilepsy?
Many people who’ve been identified as having epilepsy will wear a medic alert bracelet around the wrist or round the neck. If you notice someone who is having a seizure or is acting strangely or “spacing out,” Dr. Boppana says you might want to look for this type of bracelet.