What to know about a seizure

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may cause staring, unresponsiveness, unusual movements, stiffening, shaking, altered awareness, or confusion afterwards. Not every seizure involves dramatic jerking. Causes vary and can include low blood glucose, infection affecting the brain, substance withdrawal, or an existing neurological condition.

Move nearby hard or sharp objects away, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing around the neck, and note when the episode starts. Do not hold the person down, give food or drink, or attempt mouth-to-mouth breathing during the movements. When the seizure ends, place them on their side if they are breathing and stay with them until awareness returns. Explain what you saw to clinicians.

Call emergency services if this is a first seizure, the movements continue, seizures repeat without recovery, the person is injured, has trouble breathing, is pregnant, or the seizure happened in water. Urgent assessment is also needed with fever, severe headache, stiff neck, persistent confusion, or suspected poisoning. A person with diabetes or possible hypoglycaemia needs prompt medical attention, especially if they cannot safely swallow.

Ask what may have triggered the seizure, whether tests are needed, how to reduce injury risk, what an individual emergency plan should say, and whether driving or work activities need temporary restrictions.