What to Do If You Witness a Seizure

A seizure occurs when an abnormal discharge of the neurons in the brain occur. Seizures can be partial or general. Generalized seizures occur through out all the brain, partial seizures are located in one area of the brain. Partial seizures can progress to generalized seizures.

There are several types of seizures. Jacksonian seizures involve a localized twitch of a body part. They will sometimes progress to full body seizures. Sensory se8izures involve hallucinations, seeing flashing lights feeling tingling, smelling odd odors, dizziness or a sense of déjà vu. Complex partial seizures involve purposeless behavior such as picking at clothes, smacking of the lips; glassy stare, aimless wandering, unintelligible speech and confusion. The person having a complex partial seizure may have no memory of his actions. Absence seizures or petit mal seizures involve blinking, rolling of the eyes and a blank stare that can last one to ten seconds. Kinetic seizures involve a sudden loss of all body tone and a fall to the ground. These are sometime called drop attacks.

The type of seizure most people associate with seizure is a grand mal or tonic colonic seizure. In grand mal seizures the patient looses consciousness and suffers from jerking of the limbs, alternating with stiffness and arching of the back. They may loose control of bowel or bladder, bite their tongue, and be confused for a time after the seizure stops. Grand mal seizures last three to five minutes. The patient may turn dusky in color. Even a seizure as dramatic as the grand mal seizure usually doesn't require a trip to the hospital if a history of seizure is known. The seizure will stop in 3-5 minutes and the patient will be sleepy and confused but unharmed. However, if a grand mal seizure last longer than five minutes it may be a more serious condition called status epilepticus which is a medical emergency and requires immediate transport to the hospital.

If you are a bystander who has witnessed a seizure, here's what to do to help. Try to cushion the persons' fall if you see them begin to seize in a still standing position. After helping them to the floor, move any objects they might hit away from them to prevent injury. Do not try to wedge the mouth open once a seizure has started. Never put your fingers in a seizing person's mouth. The jaw muscle is extremely strong! Stay with the patient and try to protect their privacy. If you don't know this person has a history of seizures call 911. All new onset seizures should go to the hospital. If the person has a known history of seizures and someone can attest to that fact, 911 does not have to be called unless the seizure last longer than 5 minutes.

Be aware the person will probably be confused and groggy after the seizure. Often they will want to sleep. Do not let them drive selves home. Call a family member or a cab. It's also not uncommon for the person suffering a seizure to have a headache and muscle soreness after the event.

Seizures can be startling, frightening events. Just remember most seizures are self-limiting and will stop of their own accord.

This article is informational and not medical advice.