What should you know about non-febrile seizure causes?

A seizure is a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may cause shaking, stiffening, staring, unusual sensations, loss of awareness, or confusion afterwards. A first seizure without fever needs assessment even if the person recovers quickly. Possible triggers include missed epilepsy medicine, sleep deprivation, head injury, stroke, alcohol withdrawal, or metabolic problems such as Hypoglycaemia. Meningitis can also cause seizures, especially when headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, or marked illness is present.

The event may be epileptic, but fainting, a heart rhythm problem, or another condition can sometimes look similar. Details from a witness help the clinician distinguish them.

Protect the person from nearby hazards, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing, and turn them onto their side when the movements stop. Time the episode and stay with them as awareness returns. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or give food, drink, or tablets until they are fully alert. Record what happened before, during, and after the event for the medical team, including recent illness, medicines, alcohol use, and possible low blood sugar.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than expected, repeats without recovery, causes injury, happens in water, affects breathing, or is the person's first known seizure. Seek immediate help for ongoing confusion, severe headache, neck stiffness, weakness on one side, pregnancy, diabetes, or suspected poisoning or withdrawal. Do not drive until a clinician has assessed the episode and explained local safety requirements.

What causes need to be checked first? Could a medicine, alcohol withdrawal, sleep loss, or low blood sugar have contributed? Do I need brain or heart tests? What should I do if it happens again?