What should you know about seizure care?

Care starts with understanding what happened: what the person was doing, whether awareness changed, how movement looked, how long recovery took, and whether there was an injury. A clinician may review medicines, sleep, alcohol or substance use, illness, blood sugar, and other possible triggers.

Ongoing care may include prescribed anti-seizure medicine, appointments, safety advice, and a written plan for prolonged or repeated seizures. Do not stop or change medicine suddenly without medical guidance. A seizure can occur with conditions such as Hypoglycaemia, Alcohol Use Disorder, or Meningitis, so treatment depends on the cause.

During a seizure, stay calm, time the event, clear hazards, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing around the neck, and turn the person onto their side when safe. Do not restrain them or place anything in their mouth. Afterward, stay until awareness returns and explain what happened in simple words.

Write down the start and end time, movements, breathing changes, possible triggers, injuries, and recovery. Bring this record and a medicine list to the appointment. Until a clinician gives individual advice, consider safety around swimming alone, heights, traffic, hot surfaces, and operating machinery.

Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure that continues beyond the agreed emergency limit, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing difficulty, serious injury, a seizure in water, or persistent confusion or weakness. Fever with a stiff neck or severe headache also needs immediate assessment.

Ask what type of event was suspected, whether tests or specialist review are needed, how to use prescribed rescue medicine, which activities need temporary precautions, and when it is safe to return to driving or work duties.