BY DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES INC & EPILEPSY FOUNDATION SEIZURE FIRST AID BY DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES INC & EPILEPSY FOUNDATION

EPILEPSY/SEIZURE EPILEPSY – A chronic disorder of the brain resulting in the tendency to have recurrent seizures SEIZURE – A sudden altercation of behavior due to a temporary change in the electrical functioning of the brain in particular the outside rim of the brain called the cortex

SEIZURE Seizures can take many different forms Seizures affect different people in different ways Most people have the same type seizure each time Seizures have a beginning, middle & end Typically seizures last from 2-5 minutes Seizures cannot be stopped once they are started

UNDERSTANDING EPILEPSY Epilepsy is: Not a disease. It is a neurological brain disorder in which a sudden burst of electricity occur in the brain resulting in a seizure Epilepsy can: Affect anyone at anytime Vary in intensity & type of seizure. Some people may have only momentary lapses of attention while others experience convulsive seizures

UNDERSTANDING EPILEPSY Persons with Epilepsy: Number over two million people in the U.S. Are people just like you who just happen to have developed a condition known as Epilepsy Can in most cases control seizures through proper medication therefore living normal healthy lives

SEIZURES Seizures can sometimes be triggered by certain environmental or internal factors. These can include (but are not limited to) alcohol, intense exercise, flashing lights or loud music, illness & fever, menstrual period, lack of sleep, stress, strong emotions or improper medication timing. Sometimes there is no identifiable or consistent trigger

SEIZURES Seizures have a beginning, middle & end. When a person is aware of a seizure beginning it is called aura. Other individuals are unaware of seizure beginnings. The middle of a seizure is characterized by the type of seizure the person is having, some people lose consciousness & convulse. The end of the seizure represents a transition from the seizure to the person’s normal state. It is a recovery period for the brain

TYPES OF SEIZURES GENERALIED TONIC CLONIC (GRAND MAL) Sudden cry, fall, rigidity, followed by muscle jerks, shallow breathing or temporarily suspended breathing, bluish skin, possible loss of bladder or bowel control. Typically last 2-5 minutes, normal breathing then starts again. There may be some confusion and/or fatigue followed by a return to full consciousness.

TYPES OF SEIZURES GENERALIZED ABSENCE (PETIT MAL) A blank stare, beginning & ending abruptly, lasting only a few seconds, (most common in children). May be accompanied by rapid blinking or chewing movements. Person is unaware they just had a seizure & quickly returns to full awareness once it has stopped. May result in learning difficulties if not recognized & treated

TYPES OF SEIZURES COMPLEX PARITAL (TEMPORAL LOBE OR PSYCHOMOTOR Usually starts with blank stare, followed by chewing, then followed by a random activity. Person appears unaware of surroundings, may seem dazed & mumble. Unresponsive. Actions are clumsy & not directed. May pick up objects, try to take off clothes. May run, appear afraid, may struggle or flail at restraint. Once the pattern of this person’s seizure is established the same set of actions usually occurs with each seizure. Lasts a few minutes, but post seizure confusion can last substantially longer. No memory of what happened during the seizure period

TYPES OF SEIZURES SIMPLE PARTIAL ATONIC SEIZURES (DROP ATTACKS) Jerking may begin in one area of the body, arm, leg or face. Can’t be stopped but person stays awake & aware ATONIC SEIZURES (DROP ATTACKS) A child or adult suddenly collapses & falls. After 10 seconds to a minute he recovers, regains consciousness & can stand & walk again

TYPES OF SEIZURES MYOCLONIC SEIZURE Sudden brief massive muscle jerks that may involve the whole body. May cause person to spill what they are holding or fall off a chair INFANTILE SPASMS These are clusters of quick sudden movements that start between 3 months & 2 years. If a child is sitting up, the head will fall forward & the arms will flex forward. If lying down the knees will be drawn up with arms & head flexed forward as if the baby is reaching

SEIZURE FIRST AID DO: Stay calm Check your watch (typically seizures last from 2-5 minutes) Protect the person from injury Stay with the person until fully alert Help the person lie down & put something soft under their head Turn the person on their side to allow saliva to drain easily Loosen tight clothing & remove glasses Clear the area of sharp or hard objects

SEIZURE FIRST AID DON’T Do not try to stop or restrain movement. You cannot stop the seizure Do not force anything in the mouth. You cannot swallow your tongue Do not offer any food or drink until the person is fully conscious Do not agitate the person

WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. (the victim should begin responding to your questions after 5 minutes, “What’s your name? “Do you know where you are?” etc.) If the person has difficulty breathing after the seizure If the person has one seizure after another If the person is injured If the person requests an ambulance A seizure happens to someone who is not known to have epilepsy If the victim is pregnant or has another medical condition

SEIZURE RECORDING INFORMATION PURPOSE- The purpose of the seizure record is to keep a clear chronological record of the individual’s seizure activity. Proper documentation of a seizure is a vital part of diagnosis. The doctors who review the seizure record must have a clear picture to prescribe medication & treatment for that particular seizure. Time, date & duration of the seizures are needed to inform the professional staff of the frequency & length of the seizure. In the event that more information is needed your signature & title tells others who to see for clarification

SEIZURE RECORDING INFORMATION PROCEDURE WHO: Any staff member who observes an individual having a seizure should see to it that the seizure is properly documented on the seizure record WHEN: Documentation is required immediately following the seizure BASED ON: Observation of the individual

SEIZURE RECORDING INFORMATION IMPORTANT POINTS The seizure activity is documented in the seizure record. Medication administration information must be entered in the “Medication Administered” spot

SEIZURE RECORDING INFORMATION HELPFUL INFORMATION: AURA- a warning sign prior to the onset of the seizure. Any part of the body may be involved. Examples include an unusual sensation such as a taste or smell or an unexplained emotion like anxiety or fear FELL- losing balance and/or being thrown to the ground INCONTINENT – loss of control of bowel and/or bladder functions SLEEP AFTER SEIZURE – if the individual sleeps after a seizure documented this & the length of time slept RAPID EYE MOVEMENTS-quick back & forth movements of the eyes

SEIZURE RECORDING INFORMATION CYANOTIC- a bluish appearance to the lips & nail beds due to lack of oxygen BLANK STARE- an individual appears to be staring into space TWITCHING EYELIDS- eyelids twitch TWITCHING FACE- face twitches TONIC/CLONIC JERKING- any held spasm or rhythmic spasmodic muscular movement of all or part of the body