A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including shaking, jerking, loss of consciousness, and confusion.
Seizures can be frightening to witness, but there are a few things you can do to help someone who is having one. First, stay calm and don't panic. Second, try to keep the person safe by moving them away from any potential hazards, such as stairs or sharp objects.
Once the seizure is over, the person may be confused or disoriented. Try to talk to them calmly and reassuringly, and help them to get comfortable.
what to do if someone has a seizure
Stay calm and don't panic.
- Move person away from hazards.
- Cushion their head.
- Loosen tight clothing.
- Turn them on their side.
- Time the seizure.
- Don't put anything in their mouth.
- Stay with them until help arrives.
- Reassure them when they come around.
- Call 911 if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
Knowing what to do if someone has a seizure can help keep them safe and reduce the risk of injury.
Move person away from hazards.
If someone is having a seizure, it's important to move them away from any potential hazards to prevent injury.
- Sharp objects: Move the person away from any sharp objects, such as furniture with sharp corners or broken glass.
- Stairs: If the person is near a staircase, move them away to prevent them from falling down the stairs.
- Water: If the person is near a body of water, such as a pool or a pond, move them away to prevent them from drowning.
- Heat sources: Move the person away from any heat sources, such as a stove or a fireplace, to prevent them from getting burned.
Once the person is safe from hazards, you can cushion their head, loosen their tight clothing, and turn them on their side.
Cushion their head.
Once you have moved the person away from hazards, you should cushion their head to protect it from injury.
- Use a soft object: Place a soft object, such as a jacket, a blanket, or a pillow, under the person's head.
- Support their neck: Make sure the person's head is slightly elevated and their neck is supported.
- Don't move their head: Avoid moving the person's head unless it is necessary to protect them from injury.
- Stay with them: Stay with the person until the seizure is over, even if they have stopped shaking.
Cushioning the person's head can help to prevent serious injuries, such as a concussion or a skull fracture.
Loosen tight clothing.
If the person is wearing tight clothing, it can restrict their breathing and make it more difficult for them to recover from the seizure. Loosen any tight clothing around their neck, chest, and waist.
To do this, you can:
- Unbutton their shirt or blouse.
- Loosen their pants or skirt.
- Remove their tie or scarf.
- Unhook their bra.
Once their clothing is loosened, they will be able to breathe more easily and their seizure will be less likely to continue.
However, it is important to avoid moving the person too much, as this could worsen their seizure. If you are unsure whether or not you should move the person, it is best to err on the side of caution and leave them in the position they are in.
Once the seizure is over, you can help the person to get comfortable and change into loose clothing.
Turn them on their side.
Once the seizure is over, you should turn the person on their side to help prevent them from choking on their saliva or vomit.
- Gently roll the person onto their side: Place one arm under the person's neck and the other arm across their chest. Gently roll them onto their side, making sure to support their head and neck.
- Make sure their airway is clear: Check the person's mouth and throat to make sure there is nothing blocking their airway.
- Stay with them until they wake up: Once the person is on their side, stay with them until they wake up. This will help to ensure that they don't choke or aspirate vomit into their lungs.
- Call 911 if they don't wake up within a few minutes: If the person doesn't wake up within a few minutes, call 911 immediately.
Turning the person on their side is an important step in preventing serious complications from a seizure.
Time the seizure
If someone is having a seizure, it is important to time the seizure to help medical professionals understand how long it lasted and how severe it was.
- Start timing the seizure when it begins.
- Use a stopwatch or your phone's timer to keep track of the time.
- Stay with the person until the seizure ends.
- Note the time quando the seizure ends.
- Tell the medical professionals the length of the seizure.
Timing the seizure is an important part of helping to ensure that the person receives the best possible care.
Don't put anything in their mouth.
It is important to avoid putting anything in the person's mouth during a seizure, as this could cause injury.
- Don't try to give them water or food. This could cause choking.
- Don't try to hold their tongue. This is a common misconception, and it can actually cause injury.
- Don't try to put anything between their teeth. This could damage their teeth or gums.
- Just let the seizure run its course.
Once the seizure is over, you can check the person's mouth to make sure there is nothing blocking their airway. If there is, remove it carefully.
Stay with them until help arrives.
Once you have made sure the person is safe and comfortable, you should stay with them until help arrives. This is important for several reasons.
First, the person may need additional medical attention. If the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, or if the person has multiple seizures in a row, it is important to call 911 immediately. Even if the seizure is brief, it is still a good idea to stay with the person until they are fully recovered.
Second, the person may be confused or disoriented after the seizure. They may not know where they are or what happened. You can help them to feel safe and secure by staying with them and talking to them in a calm and reassuring voice.
Finally, staying with the person can help to prevent them from injuring themselves. If the person is still having seizures, you can help to protect them from injury by keeping them away from hazards and by making sure they are not alone.
Once the person is fully recovered, you can help them to get home or to the hospital, if necessary.
Reassure them when they come around.
When the person comes around after a seizure, they may be confused, disoriented, or scared. It is important to reassure them and help them to feel safe and secure.
Here are some things you can do to reassure them:
- Speak to them in a calm and reassuring voice.
- Tell them what happened and that they are safe now.
- Help them to sit up or get into a comfortable position.
- Offer them a drink of water.
- Stay with them until they are fully recovered.
It is also important to be patient and understanding. The person may not be able to communicate with you right away, or they may not remember what happened. Just be there for them and let them know that you are there to help.
If the person is having difficulty recovering, or if they have any other concerns, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Call 911 if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, it is considered a medical emergency. You should call 911 immediately.
- The seizure is prolonged: A seizure that lasts for more than five minutes is considered prolonged and can be dangerous.
- The person has multiple seizures in a row: If the person has multiple seizures in a row without regaining consciousness in between, this is also a medical emergency.
- The person is injured during the seizure: If the person is injured during the seizure, such as by hitting their head or biting their tongue, you should also call 911.
- The person has a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders: If the person has a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders, they are at higher risk of having a prolonged or dangerous seizure. In this case, you should call 911 even if the seizure is brief.
When you call 911, be sure to tell the dispatcher that the person is having a seizure. This will help them to send the appropriate medical помощь.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about what to do if someone has a seizure:
Question 1: What should I do if someone is having a seizure?
Answer: Stay calm and don't panic. Move the person away from hazards, cushion their head, loosen their tight clothing, and turn them on their side. Time the seizure and stay with the person until help arrives. Call 911 if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes or if the person has multiple seizures in a row.
Question 2: What should I NOT do if someone is having a seizure?
Answer: Do not put anything in the person's mouth, hold their tongue, or try to restrain them. Do not move the person unless they are in danger of injury.
Question 3: How long do seizures usually last?
Answer: Most seizures last for less than two minutes. However, some seizures can last for longer, especially if the person has epilepsy or another seizure disorder.
Question 4: What should I do after the seizure is over?
Answer: Once the seizure is over, turn the person on their side to help prevent them from choking on their saliva or vomit. Stay with the person until they are fully recovered and can communicate with you. If the person is confused or disoriented, try to reassure them and help them to get home or to the hospital, if necessary.
Question 5: When should I call 911?
Answer: You should call 911 if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, if the person has multiple seizures in a row, if the person is injured during the seizure, or if the person has a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
Question 6: What is the best way to help someone with epilepsy?
Answer: The best way to help someone with epilepsy is to learn about their condition and how to help them in case of a seizure. You can also help by being supportive and understanding.
Question 7: Where can I learn more about seizures?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn more about seizures. You can talk to your doctor, a neurologist, or a seizure specialist. You can also find information online from reputable sources, such as the Epilepsy Foundation.
Closing Paragraph: Remember, seizures can be frightening, but they are usually not life-threatening. By knowing what to do if someone has a seizure, you can help to keep them safe and ensure that they receive the medical attention they need.
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
Tips
Here are a few practical tips that may be helpful if someone you know has a seizure:
Tip 1: Learn about seizures.
The more you know about seizures, the better prepared you will be to help someone who is having one. Learn about the different types of seizures, the symptoms of seizures, and what to do if someone has a seizure.
Tip 2: Create a seizure action plan.
Work with the person who has seizures and their doctor to create a seizure action plan. This plan should include information about what to do before, during, and after a seizure. It should also include a list of emergency contacts and a plan for getting the person to the hospital if necessary.
Tip 3: Stay calm and be reassuring.
When someone is having a seizure, it is important to stay calm and be reassuring. Don't panic, and don't try to restrain the person. Just stay with them and make sure they are safe.
Tip 4: Time the seizure.
If someone is having a seizure, it is important to time the seizure. This will help medical professionals to understand how long the seizure lasted and how severe it was. Use a stopwatch or your phone's timer to keep track of the time.
Closing Paragraph:
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that someone who is having a seizure receives the best possible care.
If you are concerned about someone who is having seizures, talk to their doctor. They can help you to develop a seizure action plan and provide you with more information about how to help.
Conclusion
Seizures can be frightening to witness, but by knowing what to do, you can help to keep someone who is having a seizure safe and ensure that they receive the medical attention they need.
The main points to remember are:
- Stay calm and don't panic.
- Move the person away from hazards.
- Cushion their head.
- Loosen their tight clothing.
- Turn them on their side.
- Time the seizure.
- Don't put anything in their mouth.
- Stay with them until help arrives.
- Reassure them when they come around.
- Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
By following these simple steps, you can make a big difference in the life of someone who is having a seizure.
Closing Message:
Remember, seizures are usually not life-threatening. However, it is important to seek medical attention if someone is having seizures, especially if the seizures are frequent or severe.