What should you know about national epilepsy awareness day?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving a tendency to have repeated seizures. Seizures can look different: a person may stare, become unresponsive, stiffen, jerk, fall, or experience unusual sensations. A single seizure does not automatically establish epilepsy, and many events that resemble seizures have other causes. Diagnosis depends on the history, examination and tests arranged by a clinician.

Stigma can make people hide symptoms or avoid care. Calm explanations, privacy and practical support help someone remain safe and included.

Stay with the person, protect them from nearby hazards, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing around the neck and note when the seizure starts. Once movements stop, turn them onto their side if possible and remain nearby while they recover. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, give food or drink, or move them unless danger is present. Follow their individual seizure plan if one is available.

Call emergency services when a seizure lasts longer than the person’s usual pattern, another seizure begins before recovery, breathing does not return normally, a serious injury occurs, the person is pregnant, the seizure happens in water, or it is a first known seizure. Stay until help arrives and give responders the timing and what you observed.

Could this event have been a seizure, and what other causes should be checked? What should my personal seizure plan include? Which medicines, activities or sleep problems may affect my risk? When should family members call emergency services?