|  | Conditions Treatments | Neurological Disorders

What Do the Doctors Do When You Have a Seizure?

A seizure occurs when your brain suddenly produces abnormal, electrical activity. Some seizures produce mild symptoms while others can cause violent shaking called convulsions.

Seizures have many causes including high fevers, reactions to medicines, head injuries, diseases and epilepsy.

Doctors treat seizures differently depending on the cause, symptoms and length of the seizure.

  1. First Aid

    • Doctors try to keep a patient who is having a seizure safe and comfortable until the seizure naturally subsides. They clear the area around the patient, loosen tight clothing and place a pillow under the patient's head. Doctors also turn the patient on his side to facilitate breathing.

      Doctors also time the seizure. Most last from 30 seconds to two minutes. Seizures lasting longer than five minutes are considered medical emergencies.

    Types

    • There are many types of seizures. The two main types include grand mal and petit mal.

      A grand mal lasts from one or two minutes. Patients might fall and cry out. Their body might become rigid and jerk, and their skin might assume a bluish cast (called cyanosis).

      A petit mal seizure is more subtle, lasting only for two to 15 seconds.The patient might stare, while their eyes flutter. Sometimes, they will also perform seemingly normal gestures like picking at their clothes or smacking their lips.

    Diagnosis

    • After a patient has a seizure, a doctor attempts to make a diagnosis based on information about the patient's seizure and her medical history. Certain conditions, like strokes, panic attacks and fainting, must first be ruled out before a seizure can be diagnosed.

      If the patient only experiences one seizure because of an obvious trigger (such as a prescription drug or a high fever), the doctor may work with the patient to eliminate that trigger .

    Identification

    • If a patient experiences a first-time seizure without an obvious trigger, the doctor will ask for additional tests to substantiate a diagnosis. They may include: blood tests, cranial CT scan or MRI, EEG (usually not in the emergency room) and spinal tap.

      If a person with epilepsy has a seizure, doctors will run tests to determine the correct dose of anti-seizure medicine for that patient.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Most doctors will give patients information to help them prevent future seizures. They will stress the importance of taking prescribed medications, including anti-seizure medicines, exactly as directed. They will also point of the importance of good health habits, such as getting enough sleep, proper nutrition and avoiding stress, recreational drugs, and alcohol.

      Doctors will also instruct patients to always hear helmets when riding motorcycles and bicycles, to prevent head injuries that can cause seizures.

Neurological Disorders - Related Articles