Seizures & Epilepsy 10-4 training 10 Slides, 4 minutes Lehigh/Hanson Region West Safety and Health

 Over 3 million Americans have epilepsy.  Roughly 181,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy occur each year.  50% of people with epilepsy develop seizures by the age of 25; however, anyone can get epilepsy at any time.  Now there are as many people with epilepsy who are 60 or older as children aged 10 or younger. Epilepsy Facts:

 In about 70% of people with epilepsy, the cause is not known.  In the remaining 30%, the most common causes are: Head trauma Brain tumor and stroke Lead poisoning Infection of brain tissue Heredity Prenatal disturbance of brain development What causes epilepsy?

 Most seizures are NOT medical emergencies.  Epilepsy is NOT contagious.  Epilepsy is NOT a form of mental illness, it is a medical condition.  People rarely die or have brain damage from a seizure.  A person can NOT swallow his/her tongue during a seizure Dispelling Misconceptions about Epilepsy Seizure – a brief, temporary disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain Epilepsy – a disorder characterized by recurring seizures

What is a Seizure? Your brain cells (neurons) constantly send tiny electrical impulses (signals) that direct the functions of your body. All brain functions – including feeling, seeing, thinking and moving in the brain – depend on these electrical impulses passed between the neurons. A seizure occurs when too many neurons in the brain “fire” too quickly, causing an “electrical storm”. These uncontrolled electrical impulses can cause a change in awareness or movement. There are over 20 different types of seizures. Some seizures cause people to shake, fall or have convulsions. Other seizures involve staring, confusion, muscle spasms, aimless wandering. Many seizure types do not cause loss of consciousness.

 Missed medication (#1 reason)  Stress/anxiety  Hormonal changes  Dehydration  Lack of sleep/extreme fatigue  Photosensitivity  Drug/alcohol use; drug interactions What can trigger a seizure?

Stay calm and track the time. Do not restrain the person. Remove dangerous objects from the person’s path. Calmly direct the person to sit down and guide him or her from dangerous situations. Use force only in an emergency to protect the person from immediate harm, such as walking out in front of an oncoming car. Observe, but do not approach a person who appears angry or combative. Remain with the person until he or she is fully alert. First Aid for Seizures No first aid is necessary for most mild seizures.

Stay calm and track the time. Do not restrain the person, but help them avoid hazards. Protect head, remove glasses, loosen tight neckwear. Move anything hard or sharp out of the way. Turn person on one side. Check for epilepsy or seizure disorder identification. Stay until person is fully aware and help re-orient them. Call ambulance if seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if it is unknown whether the person has had prior seizures. First Aid for more severe Seizures

NEVER Put anything in the person’s mouth. Try to hold down or restrain the person. Attempt to give oral antiseizure medication. Keep the person on their back face up throughout convulsion. Instead, help them to a recovery position on their side.

 A convulsive seizure occurs in a person not known to have seizures or lasts more than 5 minutes.  A complex partial seizure lasts more than 5 minutes BEYOND its usual duration for the individual.  Another seizure begins before the person regains consciousness.  Also call if the person: Is injured or pregnant Has diabetes/other medical condition Recovers slowly Does not resume normal breathing When to call an ambulance