How to Treat Seizures in Teenagers

A seizure is as an abnormal and brief electrical discharge from the brain that causes symptoms ranging from small spasms to bigger, uncontrolled movements. In some cases, complete loss of consciousness occurs.

In teens, seizures normally occur when they have heavily abused alcohol and are withdrawing from use, or they occur because the teen suffers from a type of seizure disorder. Seizure disorders can have many causes. What is most important is to ensure the teen has adequate and timely treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  When two or more seizures have occurred minutes to hours apart, consider emergency medical management. Continuous seizures, known as status epilepticus, also require emergency management consisting of intravenous medicines (such as benzodiazepine) and equipment to maintain normal breathing, blood pressure, heart function and body temperature.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about long-term medications for teens who have had two or more seizures; sometimes medication is prescribed after just the first seizure. For simple seizures or complex-partial seizures, the common drug therapy includes carbamazepine or phenytoin. Generalized or grand mal seizures, known as tonic-clonic seizures, may be treated with valproic acid or carbamazepine. Absence seizures, which are brief lapses, are treated with valproic acid. Get your doctor's opinion and advice regarding other medications, such as primidone, clonazepam and ethosuximide.

• 3

  Prevent future seizures in your teen by having him take medicines as prescribed and following up with your doctor as advised.