Client Education for Seizures

Seizures are the result of abnormal brain activity. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a person having a seizure may convulse and lose consciousness, appear incoherent or simply experience unusual sights, sounds and smells.

Types of seizures

• While descriptions exist for more than 30 distinct kinds of seizures, the NINDS reports that these seizures fall into two major categories. Focal seizures focus on just one part of the brain and tend to have milder effects. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and have manifestations ranging from staring into space to whole-body jerking.

Causes

• The NINDS reports that anything that creates a disturbance in the way the brain works may cause a seizure. Known causes of seizures include high fevers, eclampsia, infections, brain tumors, developmental problems, head injuries, some medications and poisoning.

First Aid

• The Epilepsy Foundation reports that first aid during a seizure requires maintaining the patient's safety until the seizure has passed. To do this, gently roll the patient onto his side and loosen his clothing to keep his airway clear, provide a pillow for his head remove any nearby objects on which he might injure himself.

Treatment

• According to the NINDS, treatment for epilepsy most frequently involves the use of anti-seizure medications but may also include surgery, the implantation of a pacemaker-like device to stimulate the vagus nerve, dietary changes and biofeedback. Treatment helps as many as 80 percent of patients with epilepsy.

Get Emergency Help

• A patient who experiences multiple seizures without regaining consciousness between them, suffers an unexpected seizure during pregnancy or has a seizure lasting longer than five minutes requires emergency medical attention, according to the NINDS.