What should you know about seizure list?

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may cause staring, reduced awareness, unusual sensations, stiffening, rhythmic jerking, temporary loss of responsiveness, or confusion afterwards. Not every seizure involves shaking. Note the person’s activity before it began, whether they responded, which body part moved first, breathing or colour changes, injuries, tongue biting, loss of bladder control, and how they recovered. A seizure can have many possible triggers or causes; a seizure itself does not identify one condition. Related conditions that clinicians may consider include Alcohol Use Disorder, Hypoglycaemia, and Meningitis.

Stay with the person and clear hard or sharp objects away. Cushion the head, loosen tight clothing around the neck, and turn them onto their side when practical, especially after the movements stop. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or offer food, drink, or tablets until they are fully alert. Time the event and note what you see. If it is safe, ask someone to call emergency services while you monitor breathing. Do not move the person unless there is immediate danger.

Call emergency services if the seizure continues without recovery, repeats, causes a serious injury, happens in water, or breathing does not return normally. Seek urgent assessment for a first suspected seizure, pregnancy, diabetes, fever with a stiff neck, or persistent confusion or weakness. Arrange medical review after any unexplained episode, even if the person seems well again, so a clinician can assess medicines, illnesses, sleep, alcohol or substance exposure, and other possible contributors.

Ask what features make the event more likely to be a seizure, whether tests or specialist review are needed, how to use prescribed rescue medicine, and which activities need temporary safety adjustments. Bring the written list and any witness or video description.