I had a seizure for the first time: what should I know?

A seizure is a burst of unusual electrical activity in the brain. It can cause shaking, stiffening, staring, loss of awareness, unusual sensations, or confusion afterwards. One seizure does not by itself confirm epilepsy. A clinician may ask what happened before, during, and after the event, including sleep, alcohol or substance use, illness, medicines, head injury, and blood sugar symptoms. Possible causes include low blood sugar, withdrawal from alcohol, infection, or a brain-related problem. [Hypoglycaemia](/conditions/hypoglycaemia/) and [Alcohol Use Disorder](/conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/) are examples of conditions a clinician may consider.

Arrange urgent medical review after a first seizure, and do not drive, swim alone, climb heights, or use machinery until a clinician gives clear advice. If another seizure happens, move nearby hazards away, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing, and turn the person onto their side when the jerking stops. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or give food or drink until they are fully alert. Note the duration, movements, breathing, possible triggers, and recovery; this can help the assessment.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats without recovery, causes a serious injury, happens in water, or breathing does not return normally. Seek immediate help for severe headache, fever with stiff neck, a new rash, pregnancy, diabetes, or persistent confusion or weakness. [Meningitis](/conditions/meningitis/) can cause fever, headache, stiff neck, and seizures, so those symptoms need emergency assessment.

Ask what tests are needed, whether a medicine or illness could have triggered the event, what activities to avoid, and how relatives should respond if it happens again.