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Convulsion, first aid

Considerations:
Most seizures last from 30 to 45 seconds.

When seizures recur, and there are no underlying causes that can be treated directly, a person is said to have epilepsy . Epilepsy is usually well controlled with medication.

There is nothing you can do to stop convulsions once they have started. All that can be done is to help protect the victim from injury and get medical help as needed.

If a small child has multiple seizures for the first time, assume they have swallowed poison and give appropriate first aid.

Try to time the duration of the seizures so the doctor will have a measurement of how severe they are.

Causes:

epilepsy
alcohol use
barbiturates, intoxication or withdrawal
brain illness or injury
brain tumor (rare)
choking
drug abuse
electric shock
fever (particularly in young children)
head injury
heart disease
heat illness (see heat intolerance )
high blood pressure
meningitis
poisoning
stroke
toxemia of pregnancy
uremia related to kidney failure
venomous bites and stings (see snake bite )
withdrawal from benzodiazepines (such as Valium)

Symptoms:

brief blackout or period of confused behavior
drooling or frothing at the mouth
grunting and snorting
local tingling or twitching in one part of the body
loss of bladder or bowel control
sudden falling; loss of consciousness
temporary absence of breathing
vigorous muscle spasms with twitching and jerking limbs

Do not:

DO NOT restrain the victim.
DO NOT place anything between the victim's teeth during a seizure (including your fingers).
DO NOT move the victim unless he or she is in danger or near something hazardous.
DO NOT try to make the victim stop convulsing--they can't control themselves during a seizure.
DO NOT perform rescue breathing on a seizure victim, even if they are turning blue. Most seizures end long before brain damage would begin.
DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth until the convulsions have stopped and the victim is fully awake and alert.

Call Your Healthcare Provider if:

the convulsion lasts more than 2 minutes or there are recurring seizures (more than 1 episode per hour).
the victim does not awaken between seizures.
the victim is ill, injured, or intoxicated.
the victim has never had convulsions before.
the victim is a diabetic or has high blood pressure .
the victim is pregnant .
the victim had a seizure in water.
the victim seems weak and feverish after the seizures have stopped.

First Aid:
1. When a seizure occurs, the main strategy is to try to keep the victim from injury. Try to protect the victim from falls. Lay the victim on the ground in a safe area.

2. Clear the area around the victim of furniture or other sharp objects.

3. Without limiting the movements of a person having a seizure, loosen any tight clothing, particularly around the victim's neck.

4. If vomiting occurs, try to turn the head so that the vomitus is expelled and is not inhaled into the lungs or windpipe.

5. In an infant or child, if the seizure seems to be the result of high fever , cool the child gradually, using a dampened sponge or cool compress and tepid water. An appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used. DO NOT, however, immerse the child in a cold bath.

6. After a convulsion , most victims go into a deep sleep. Don't prevent the victim from sleeping. He or she will probably be disoriented for awhile after awakening.

7. Stay with the victim until recovery or until you have professional medical help. Meanwhile, monitor their vital signs ( pulse , rate of breathing, blood pressure ).

Prevention:

Known epileptics should always wear a medical alert tag.
Keep fevers under control, especially in children.