Epileptic Seizure: Dos and Don'ts for Immediate Care

The causes of epilepsy and the reasons for epileptic seizures are different. The causes of epileptic seizures are those due to which you come in contact or due to which you start having seizures. Having an epileptic seizure for the first time can cause a person a lot of stress. Genetic factors or brain damage can be the reason for epileptic seizures.

If you have epilepsy, it means that you are always at risk of having an epileptic seizure and factors such as alcohol, lack of sleep, medicines, certain foods, sensitivity to types or stress trigger seizures. The reason for an epileptic seizure is different for each person. Usually, brain disease, tumors, genetic problems and some other diseases are the causes of seizures. The problem of epilepsy can occur at any time in life, so sometimes it can be difficult to find out the cause of seizures, but your doctor can help you in this matter.

(Read more - Epilepsy Diet and Diet Plan)

When a person has an epileptic seizure, there are many types of problems that indicate that he is having an seizure. Every person has different problems and symptoms when he has an epileptic attack. These problems are as follows -

• Becoming unconscious.
• The person loses control over his limbs.
• Muscles shrink. 
• Not being able to feel anything.
• The person does not react to anything.
• The person chews his lips or nails.
• Falling.
• Loss of control over stool and urine. 
• The person's limbs become stiff.
• Not being conscious.
• Weakness. 

After the attack is over, the person regains consciousness and starts talking, but he may feel nervous for some time. After the attack is over, the person does not remember anything and he starts behaving normally.

(Read more - Convulsions)

If someone around you is having an epileptic seizure, you cannot do much to help. This situation seems to be an emergency, but mostly it is normal and in such a situation, the most important thing is to protect the person because when the seizure occurs, the person loses control over his body parts, which increases the possibility of injury.Mostly these seizures last from a few seconds to 2 or 3 minutes and during this time you can give first aid to the person in the following way -

• Stay calm and also calm the people around you. 
• Do not crowd around the person.
• Remove any object present around the person's neck which may cause difficulty in breathing, such as jewelry, tie or clothes etc. 
• Remove objects from around the person that can hurt him, such as glass, stones or furniture.
• Do not try to restrain the person.
• Support the person's head so that he does not get a head injury. 
• Do not try to open or close the person's mouth or pull the tongue, doing so can cause injury to his mouth. 
• Do not put anything in the person's mouth, this can damage his teeth and tongue and it is also possible that he accidentally bites your hand. 
• As soon as the person starts having a seizure, look at your watch and note the duration of the seizure.
• After the seizure is over, lay the person on one side so that his airway remains open and he does not have trouble breathing. 
• Do not leave the person alone after the seizure as he may be confused.

(Read more -Help When Epilepsy Treatment Doesn't Work)

Although in most cases an epileptic attack is not a serious problem, sometimes it may require going to the doctor. In the following situations, there may be a need to take the person to the doctor -

• If it is the first time the attack has occurred.
• The duration of the attack is more than 5 minutes.
• If the person has heart disease or any other problem. 
• If the woman is pregnant.
• Having another attack within a short time after having an attack.
• You are not sure whether the person has epilepsy or the attack has occurred due to some other reason.
• If the person has diabetes.
• The person does not regain consciousness even after the attack.
• If the person is in water. 
• The person is unable to breathe properly even after the attack. 

(Read more -Refractory Epilepsy)

Epileptic seizures are a brain condition in which abnormal electrical activity causes sudden and uncontrolled body movements. These seizures can be brief or long and can range from mild shaking to severe convulsions. During an epileptic seizure, a person may experience sudden loss of consciousness, muscle spasms, and behavioral changes. The causes and types of seizures can be varied, and may include genetic factors, brain injury, infection, or other health problems.

Epileptic seizures are usually treated through anti-epileptic medications, which help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. In some cases, methods such as surgery, special diets, or vagus nerve stimulation may also be used. Regular medical monitoring and lifestyle changes are also important for people with epilepsy. Controlling epileptic seizures can help a person improve their quality of life and lead a normal life.