Do's and Don'ts for Emergency actions in Epilepsy or Epileptic Seizure Case

If you see a person having an epileptic seizure, please do not turn away and do try to help him/he. The measures to be adopted in case you see a person suffering from a seizure are as follows:

Do’s in Epilepsy

·         Keep calm and have patience. Focus on your goal — to keep the person safe until the seizure stops

·         Prevent the patient from injuring himself or herself

·         Prevent the fall of the person onto the ground. If the person is seated, try to gently pull him onto a flat surface so he does not fall.

·         Loosen their tight clothing; remove the spectacles, necktie, belts etc.

·         Cushion their head so that it is not injured. A pillow, a folded jacket, or a sweater offers protection.

·         Clear away any sharp or hard objects to avoid cuts and bruises.

·         When the seizure is over, turn them on their side to prevent choking. This clears the airways by allowing saliva to flow out of the mouth.

·         After the seizures stops turn the patient to a side and wipe the froth from his mouth.

·         Someone with epilepsy should be wearing a medical bracelet or card containing emergency contact information for identification, what medications he takes, and any drug allergies.

Don’ts in Epilepsy

·         Do not panic and do not be afraid.

·         Do not insert spoon or any such articles into the mouth during seizure.

·         Do not restrict convulsive movements as it may cause fracture.

·         Do not try to insert a gag in the mouth it may cause difficulty in breathing.

·         Do not crowd around the patient.

·         Do not give water or any other liquid till he is fully consciousness.

·         Do not try and physically hold the person, this may injure both the person and the helper.

·         Medical aid is usually not required except in case of the person being in water and drowning is a danger then mouth to mouth resuscitation maybe required. The duration of the seizure is usually not more than 2-3 minutes after which the person enters a state of deep sleep.

·         Don’t attempt cardio pulmonary respiration or artificial respiration unless the person is not breathing when the seizure has stopped.