Seeing someone suddenly collapse and shake can be frightening. Knowing what to do when someone has a seizure helps you respond calmly and safely. First, you have to move any sharp objects away and gently turn the person onto their side. Note how long the seizure lasts. Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Call 911 if it lasts more than five minutes or if it is their first seizure. Stay nearby afterward and speak calmly, as they may feel confused or tired.
This blog teaches how to help someone during a seizure and how to recognize the warning signs. It covers simple first aid steps, such as keeping them safe, timing the seizure, and knowing what to avoid. You will also learn when to call 911 and how to support them afterward.
What Causes Seizures and How Can You Recognize Their Types and Symptoms?
Sometimes the brain sends out sudden bursts of electrical signals that it should not. When this happens, it is called a seizure or an epileptic fit. During a seizure, a person might lose awareness for a short time, their body might jerk or stiffen, or they might just stare off and seem confused.
Seizures can happen to anyone, whether kids, teens, or adults. They can be caused by many things, like an illness, a head injury, or certain medical conditions. Even though they can look scary, the good news is that there are treatments that help control them. With the right care and support, people who have seizures can still live healthy and active lives.
Up to 10% of people worldwide will have at least one seizure in their lifetime.
Common Causes of Seizures
Many factors can interfere with the brain’s normal electrical activity. Common causes include:
- Epilepsy (Recurrent, unprovoked seizures)
- High fever (Febrile seizures in children)
- Head injuries, concussions, or strokes
- Low blood sugar or electrolyte imbalance
- Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal
- Sleep deprivation or extreme stress
- Flashing lights or visual stimuli
- Certain medications or toxins
Types of Seizures
There are basically two types of seizures. They are as follows:
Generalized Seizures (Generalized Onset Seizures)
They happen when electrical activity in your brain starts on both sides at the same time. This can make your body shake all over, shake on just one side, or sometimes just cause you to stare blankly and stop moving. While these seizures are more common in kids and young adults, they can happen at any age. It includes the following seizures: Absence seizures, Atonic seizures (Drop seizures), Clonic seizures, Myoclonic seizures, Tonic-clonic seizures, Tonic seizures, etc.
Focal Seizures (Focal Onset Seizures/Partial Seizures)
Focal seizures, also called focal onset seizures, happen when electrical activity starts in just one part of the brain. Because of this, symptoms usually affect only one side of the body. During a seizure, you might stay fully aware or lose awareness, sometimes not remembering it afterward. These seizures can stay in one area or spread to involve both sides of the brain. It includes Focal Onset Aware Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures) and Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures).
Common Signs and Symptoms
Seizure symptoms vary depending on the type and severity, but may include:
- Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness
- Uncontrolled jerking or stiffening of muscles
- Temporary confusion or unresponsiveness
- Staring spells or loss of awareness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sudden emotional changes (Fear, joy, anxiety)
- Abnormal eye movements or drooling
Most seizures last 30 seconds to 2 minutes. If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it’s a medical emergency.
Phases of Seizures
Seizures usually happen in phases. Some of the phases are:
- Prodrome Phase
Hours or days before a seizure, you might notice changes in your mood, have trouble sleeping, or find it hard to concentrate. These are early signs your body is giving you. - Aura Phase
Right before a seizure, you might feel dizzy, see things differently, feel nauseous, or notice strange smells. These sensations act as a warning. - Ictal Phase
This is when the seizure actually happens. You might have jerking movements or even lose consciousness. - Postictal Phase
After the seizure, you may feel confused, very tired, or emotional. Your body needs time to recover.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Seizure?
Seizures often come with warning signs that can help you recognize them early. These may include:
- Sensory Symptoms
Seeing bright lights, strange shapes, hearing unexpected sounds, tasting odd flavors, or feeling tingling or numbness in your skin. - Emotional Changes
Sudden strong emotions, déjà vu (new things feel familiar), or jamais vu (familiar things feel new). - Autonomic Symptoms
Automatic body reactions like sweating, drooling, upset stomach, or pale skin.
Seizure First Aid: What to Do and What to Avoid
During a seizure, stay calm and guide the person to a safe place, protect their head with something soft, loosen any tight clothing, and turn them onto their side.
Do’s
- Clear the area of sharp or dangerous objects.
- Lay the person on their side (preferably left) after the jerking stops.
- Protect the head with a soft item like a jacket.
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
- Time the seizure and observe what happens.
- Stay with the person until they’re fully alert.
Don’ts
- Let them move freely and avoid holding them down during a seizure.
- Never put anything in their mouth.
- Do not give food, water, or medicine while the seizure is happening.
- Only perform CPR if they stop breathing after the seizure ends.
What Should You Do During and After a Seizure to Help Recovery and Provide Support?
Once the seizure stops, you have to stay calm and stay close. Help them rest safely, speak gently to reassure them, and watch until they’re fully alert. Check for any injuries and offer a little support as they recover.
The following things you have to do:
During Seizure
- Check if the person is responsive and breathing, but only if it is safe to do so.
- Let the seizure happen on its own. Do not try to hold the person down.
- Keep the person safe by moving anything nearby that could hurt them.
- Watch the person closely during the seizure.
- If it is safe, gently turn the person onto their side. This is called the recovery position.
After Seizures
- If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR immediately and use an AED if available.
- If they are unresponsive but breathing, place them in the recovery position.
- Keep checking their breathing and responsiveness to see if more help is needed.
- Keep them comfortable and protect them from getting too cold or too hot.
- Give care for shock if it is necessary.
- Assist with or give medicine only if you are trained and it is needed.
- Stay with them until they are fully awake, reassure them, and continue watching for any changes in their condition.
When Should You Call Emergency Services During a Seizure?
You should call 911 (or local emergency number) if:
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- The person has repeated seizures without waking up
- It’s their first seizure
- They’re injured, pregnant, or diabetic
- When a seizure happens in water
- They don’t regain consciousness or breathing
What Are the Possible Complications of a Seizure?
Seizures may lead to complications that affect the patient’s health. You have to learn about the potential risks, from injuries and prolonged seizures to long-term effects, and understand when to seek medical help.
Some of the complications are:
- Seizures can cause you to lose consciousness or pass out.
- Falling or stopping suddenly during a seizure (for example, while driving, using machines, or climbing) can lead to injuries.
- Convulsions may make you hit your arms or legs on hard surfaces, which can cause cuts, bruises, or broken bones.
- Status epilepticus happens when a seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if multiple seizures occur without enough time to recover.
- Status epilepticus is a medical emergency because it can cause brain damage or even be life-threatening.
How Can Seizures Be Effectively Treated and Managed?
Seizure treatment usually depends on the type of seizure, its underlying cause, and how often it occurs. A neurologist will consider all these factors and may recommend different approaches, including lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments tailored to the person’s needs.
Seizure treatment depends on the type, cause, and frequency. A neurologist may recommend:
1. Treating Underlying Causes
Doctors will first look for any conditions that might be triggering seizures, like a stroke or low blood sugar. Treating these problems can help prevent future seizures.
2. Medications
Antiseizure medications can help reduce how often seizures happen or stop them altogether. Taking the right medicine as prescribed is important for keeping seizures under control.
3. Surgery
In some cases, surgery can help. By targeting the specific area of the brain where seizures start, surgery may lower both the number and severity of seizures.
4. Brain Stimulation
A special device can be implanted in the brain to send a gentle electrical current. This current helps stop abnormal brain activity that causes seizures. There are several types of brain stimulation, including vagus nerve stimulation.
5. Dietary Changes
If other treatments aren’t fully effective, doctors may suggest adjusting your diet. A low-carb or ketogenic diet has been shown to help reduce seizures in some people. Research is still ongoing to understand exactly how diet affects seizure control.
How Do Seizures Affect Mental Health?
Seizures can affect your mental health, and it’s common to feel anxious or depressed if you experience them. Seizures can interrupt your daily life and keep you from enjoying activities you like. You might worry about having another seizure, lose sleep thinking about it, or even avoid going out and spending time with friends or family because you feel embarrassed.
It’s important to remember that seizures are not your fault, and these feelings are completely normal. A mental health professional can help you manage the stress and emotions that come with seizures, making it easier to take care of both your body and your well-being.
Stay Calm and Act Quickly to Help Someone Having a Seizure
Knowing what to do when someone has a seizure can make all the difference. Stay calm, clear the area, and gently turn them on their side while timing the seizure. Avoid restraining them or putting anything in their mouth, and call 911 if needed. Staying by their side afterward, offering reassurance, and knowing the warning signs can keep them safe and help them recover with confidence.
Be ready to save a life! Join CPR VAM, an AHA-certified training center, where expert instructors teach CPR, First Aid, and how to respond to and manage seizures safely. Gain life-saving skills today and make a difference when it matters most!
FAQs
1. What Should I Do First When Someone is Having a Seizure?
You should stay calm and move any sharp or dangerous objects away from the person. You should gently turn them onto their side to keep their airway clear. You should protect their head with something soft, but you should not try to hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
2. Which Side Do I Turn Someone to When They Are Having a Seizure?
Once the shaking stops, you should carefully turn them onto their left side. This position helps keep their airway open and makes it less likely they will choke if they throw up.
3. When is It Important to Call 911 For a Seizure?
You should call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. Call if it’s their first seizure. Call if they have repeated seizures without a break. Also, call if they are injured, pregnant, or having trouble breathing afterward.
4. Can I Give Food, Water, or Medicine During a Seizure?
No. You should never give anything by mouth during a seizure because they could choke. Wait until the person is fully awake and alert before offering any food or drink.
5. How Long Do Seizures Usually Last?
Most seizures only last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. But if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, it’s an emergency, and you should call medical help immediately.
