What should you know about simple seizure?

Seizures do not all look alike. A person may stare, become briefly unresponsive, experience unusual smells or sensations, stiffen, jerk, or behave unusually. Afterwards, confusion, sleepiness, headache or muscle soreness can occur. A single seizure does not by itself establish epilepsy, and the cause may involve illness, a head injury, medication or substance withdrawal, low blood sugar, or another brain problem. Hypoglycaemia, Alcohol Use Disorder and Meningitis are examples of conditions that may need consideration in the right clinical setting.

Stay with the person, move nearby hazards away, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing and note when the episode begins. Do not restrain movements, put anything in the mouth, or give food or drink until full awareness returns. When the movements stop, place the person on their side and check breathing. A clear description or phone video taken safely from a distance can help the clinician understand what happened.

Call emergency services if the seizure continues, repeats without recovery, causes a serious injury, happens in water, or the person has trouble breathing afterwards. Urgent help is also needed for a first seizure, pregnancy, diabetes, fever with a stiff neck, or persistent confusion. Arrange medical assessment after any unexplained episode, even if recovery seems complete.

Ask what tests may identify a trigger, whether medicines or sleep loss could have contributed, what safety precautions apply at home, and what symptoms should prompt emergency care. Bring a witness account and a list of medicines, supplements and recent illnesses.