What to do in the event of an epileptic seizure: 5 recommendations and tips

A series of tips on what to do when someone has an epileptic seizure.

Do you know what epilepsy is? More specifically, what is an epileptic seizure? Do you live with someone who suffers from epileptic seizures? Do you know what to do in such cases?

In this article, we will explain what to do in the event of an epileptic seizure.. We will answer these questions and explain the 5 general guidelines for dealing with an epileptic seizure. In addition, we will explain specifically how to act depending on whether the seizure is a complex partial seizure or a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.

Epilepsy and epileptic seizures: what are they?

Epilepsy is a disorder whose only symptom is recurrent epileptic seizures (i.e., in order to be diagnosed, more than one must have appeared). This is why it is possible to suffer from epilepsy and lead a normal life.

Epileptic seizures are caused by an altered functioning of a group of neurons in the brain, which, at a given moment, becomes overactive.which, at a given moment, becomes overactive. That is to say, an excess of electrical activity of these neurons is produced.

When epileptic seizures occur, there are alterations in the patient's movement (i.e. convulsions: a kind of uncontrolled shaking of the body), in his level of consciousness and in his behavior. These seizures usually last from seconds to minutes (if they last more than 5 minutes, the emergency department should be called). Once the seizures are over, the brain continues to function normally..

Seizures can be of two types: partial (or focal) and generalized. In the former, there is a discharge in a specific area of the brain, which may spread to the rest of the cerebral cortex); in the latter, the entire surface of the brain is affected (in addition, they cause loss of consciousness).

What to do in an epileptic seizure

But what to do in an epileptic seizure? It is very important to know what to do in the event of an epileptic seizure, especially if you live with someone with epilepsy..

It is known that most epileptic seizures are of short duration and end on their own, i.e. we should never do anything to stop them. However, there are a number of guidelines, recommendations and precautions that we should apply in case someone close to us suffers an epileptic seizure.

These guidelines will help prevent possible complications arising from the crisis itself, and will prevent the person from harming him/herself.. There are 5 general guidelines for action, although later we will see what to do in each specific case, depending on the type of crisis:

1. Do not restrain the person

It is important not to restrain the person having an epileptic seizure. We should, however, remove objects close to the person, Remove any objects close to the person with which he/she could hit or hurt him/herself.. In other words, we must clear the area where he/she is.

2. Place the person on its side

The second step or guideline on what to do in an epileptic seizure is to place the person who is having the seizure on his or her side, to prevent him or her from hurting himself or herself. This should be done whenever possible, never forcibly if it cannot be done.

3. Do not put anything in the person's mouth.

It seems obvious, but this point is very important. Nothing should be put in the mouth of the person suffering from an epileptic seizure, no objects, no food, no water, no medication.objects, food, water or medicines.

4. Accompany the person

We should not leave the person suffering the seizure alone; we should accompany him/her and be at his/her side until the seizure ends, the person regains consciousness (in case he/she has lost it) and recovers.

5. Controlling the time of the crisis

It is very important to monitor exactly how long the seizure lasts, using a watch or stopwatch. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, we should call the emergency room (in Spain it is 112). (in Spain it is 112).

Depending on the type of seizure

As we explained at the beginning of the article, seizures can be of two types: generalized or partial. What to do in an epileptic seizure depending on the type of seizure? Let's take a look:

1. Generalized seizure (tonic-clonic).

When the seizure is of the generalized tonic-clonic type, it has two phases has two phases: the tonic phase (the seizure begins with rigidity in the extremities) and the clonic phase (jerks appear all over the body). This is the most common type of generalized seizure.

In this case, we will follow the steps below:

1.1. Place the person on the floor.

First First, we help the person to get down on the groundto prevent him/her from hurting himself/herself.

1.2. Place a pillow under his head.

Next, place a soft, cushioned object under his head, such as a pillow or a folded blanket. This will prevent him from hurting himself on the floor.

1.3. Loosening clothes

Next, the next step on what to do in a generalized seizure is to Loosen the person's belt (if he/she is wearing one), as well as the tie and any constricting clothing.. We will also remove your glasses if you are wearing them.

1. 4. Clear the area of objects

We will remove objects that can harm him, such as sharp objects, sharp objects, etc., from his environment. We will also remove sources of heat with which it can be burned.

1. 5. Do not put anything in the mouth

As already mentioned in the 5 general guidelines on what to do in an epileptic seizure, here we also introduce the guideline of not putting anything in the mouth of the person having the seizure.

1.6. Do not restrain the person

We should also avoid holding the person tightly so that he or she does not move. That is to say, we should place him/her well on the floor but never hold him/her down or restrict his/her movements..

1.7. Letting the person rest

Finally, when the crisis is over, the person should be left lying on his or her side so that he or she can rest for a few minutes and recover. With this position we will avoid that the saliva that the person may have accumulated passes to the lungs, or that he/she vomits.

2. Partial (complete) seizure

On the other hand, what to do in a partial and complex epileptic seizure? Let us remember that This type of seizure, also known as focal seizures, originates in a single area of the brain (60% of people suffering from partial seizures). (60% of people with epilepsy have them). In this case we will follow the same guidelines as above, and in addition:

• In the event that the person walks aimlessly, we will direct him/her towards areas that are not dangerous.
• We should not confront the person if he/she seems angry or aggressive.
• If, when the crisis is over, the person seems disoriented, we shall accompany him or her so that he or she recovers completely.

Bibliographic references:

• Bethesda (2015). Epilepsies and seizures: hope in research. NINDS. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• Spanish Epilepsy Federation. (2018). Seizure types.
• Living with epilepsy. (2019). What to do in the event of an epileptic seizure. First aid.