When should you see a doctor about seizure?

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may cause shaking, stiffening, unusual sensations, staring, altered awareness, or confusion afterward. Causes can include epilepsy, low blood sugar from hypoglycaemia, heat stroke, alcohol withdrawal, infection such as meningitis, or a fever-related event in a child. A seizure does not by itself confirm epilepsy.

Move nearby hazards away, cushion the head, loosen tight clothing, and turn the person onto their side when possible. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or offer food or drink until fully alert. Time the event and note what happened before, during, and after it. Stay with the person and call emergency services when warning signs are present.

Call emergency services for a first known seizure, an event lasting longer than five minutes, seizures that repeat without recovery, serious injury, pregnancy, diabetes, water-related onset, or persistent breathing difficulty. Urgent assessment is also needed with fever and a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, or a new weakness. Even a brief unexplained event merits medical review.

Ask what tests may help identify the trigger, whether medicines or withdrawal could be involved, and what safety steps apply at home, work, driving, and around water. Bring a witness account or video if safely obtained, plus the event duration and recovery details.