Once an epileptic seizure starts, there is not much you can do to help stop it. However, you can help protect the patient and other people who may be around from harm. Some seizures tend to be more dangerous than others; however, most are not an emergency. If there is anything you can do for the epileptic person, focus on ensuring they are safe. You may want to get to a Marlboro Township, NJ neurologist to help bring out a seizure management and care plan that suits you or your patient.

What a seizure looks like

There is a stigma imagined when you talk about epileptic persons, and certain types of episodes can be frightening. With some seizures, a person will appear as though they have checked out – they will not answer when you talk to them. If you wave your hand in their face, they will not react. The individuals may collapse and their muscles tend to clench – are quite rigid – this is considered the tonic phase as it goes on for a few seconds.

The patient experiences jerking movements, a phase known as the clonic stage. The jerking eventually stops, and that is when the individual is alert. They can now talk, but they may be unsteady, fatigued, or feel dizzy for a little while. 

Focal seizures

Apart from the generalized seizures, there are focal seizures that tend to attack a particular body part. Focal seizures are considered less intense and often last a few minutes. You may experience stiffness on the part of the body – for example, the arm may get stiff. A patient may also experience repeated, rhythmic, or jerking movements in a particular area.

The individual may stare at nothing or zone out. While you may realize what is happening, you are unable to control it. 

What to do

Helping a person with epilepsy seizures means taking precautions. The person can harm themselves or other people. For the generalized tonic-clonic seizure, ensure you give the individual room. Also, keep other people back. Remove any sharp objects such as glasses or furniture from around the person. Try to cushion the head of the individual to help prevent injury. You may want to loosen clothing items around the necks, but only if you find it safe to do so. You should not try to stop their movements or hold them down.

Do not put anything inside their mouth. Often, people think that a person in seizure will swallow their tongue – however, that is a myth. Placing an object in their mouth can break their teeth and injure gums, or they could bite you. Turn their head to one side if it is not moving. You may want to keep watch of the time the seizure started so that you know when it ends. Although it may look like an emergency, it is often not. When the jerking stops, you can place the individual on their side – it helps clear the airway.

To help parents and families with epileptic people, The Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures in Marlboro Township helps provide hope and restore optimism. The team provides care and allows patients to find answers to their neurological disorder and empower them to discover ways to live lives to their best.

James Montano