What should you know about fainting with convulsions?

A faint may begin with nausea, warmth, sweating or dim vision, followed by a short collapse and rapid return of awareness when lying down. Some people have a few brief jerks. A seizure may involve longer rhythmic movements, tongue injury, loss of bladder control or confusion that continues after the event. These clues are not a diagnosis, and a clinician may also consider dehydration, low blood sugar, anaemia or a heart rhythm problem.

Ask a witness to write down the order of events rather than relying on memory alone. Note head position, eye movements, skin colour, breathing, injuries and how the person behaved afterwards.

Protect the person from nearby objects, cushion the head and loosen clothing around the neck. Do not restrain the movements, put anything in the mouth or offer water during the episode. When the movements stop, place the person on their side and stay with them while checking breathing.

Call emergency services if movements continue, repeat without recovery, breathing is abnormal, the person is injured, pregnant, confused for an unusually long time or has severe headache, weakness or chest symptoms. A first event, an unexplained collapse or an episode during exertion needs prompt medical review even after recovery.

Ask what tests could clarify the event, such as an electrocardiogram, blood glucose check or other monitoring. Discuss whether recent illness, poor intake, medicines or previous episodes change the assessment.