Home Care:

If someone who has never had a seizure before had one, call 9-1-1 immediately.

People with epilepsy should always wear a medical alert tag.

Most seizures stop by themselves. However, a person having a generalized seizure may be injured; breathe food, fluid, or vomit into the lungs; or not get enough oxygen. During a generalized seizure, it is important to protect the person from injury. Turn the person on his or her side, so that any vomit is expelled. See seizure first aid.

After a generalized seizure, most people go into a deep sleep. Don't prevent the person from sleeping. He or she will probably be disoriented, or possibly agitated for awhile after awakening.

Stay with the person until recovery or until you have professional medical help. Meanwhile, monitor their pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure.

• DO NOT give the person anything by mouth until the convulsions have stopped and the person is fully awake and alert.
• DO NOT move the person unless he or she is in danger or near something hazardous.
• DO NOT place anything between the person's teeth during a seizure (including your fingers). You can break the person's teeth, or the object, if you do.
• DO NOT restrain the person.
• DO NOT try to make the person stop convulsing. He or she can't control the seizure and is not aware of what is happening at the time.

Some people with epilepsy may have a vagal nerve stimulator implanted in their chest. Activating this device at the beginning of a seizure may shorten or stop a seizure. Other people may have been prescribed medication to administer rectally during a seizure. Never try to administer anything (even medications) by mouth.

Call your health care provider if:

If this is the first time someone has ever had a seizure, or if this is an unusually long seizure in someone who has a seizure disorder, call 9-1-1 immediately. These symptoms can be caused by life-threatening conditions, such as a stroke or meningitis.

Report all seizures (even a mild one) to the health care provider. If the patient is known to have epilepsy or recurrent seizures, their doctor should be notified so that medications can be adjusted or other instructions given.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions to help understand the cause of the seizures, such as:

• Are there any risk factors (such as recent head injury)?
• Did it occur or start on one side of the body?
• Did the person remain awake and aware (maintain consciousness) during the seizure?
• How long did the seizure last?
• How often do the seizures happen?
• Was there movement of the muscles and if so, what was the pattern?
• Was there any warning (aura) of the seizures?
• Were there any other symptoms present (visual changes, abnormal smells)?

The following tests may be performed:

• Blood tests
• CT scan of the head or MRI of the head
• EEG
• Lumbar puncture

Instructions for taking any prescribed medications should be strictly followed. Family members should observe and record any seizures to ensure the person gets proper treatment.

People with uncontrolled seizures should not drive. Each state has a different law that determines which people with a history of seizures are allowed to drive. People with uncontrolled seizures also should avoid activities where loss of awareness would cause great danger, such as climbing to high places, biking, and swimming alone.

Prevention:

Good habits may help to control seizures. Because sleep deprivation, stress, and a poor diet can contribute to increased seizures, good sleep habits, stress reduction, proper exercise, and sound nutrition may help.

There is no specific way to prevent seizures. Use helmets when appropriate to prevent head injury. This will lessen the likelihood of a brain injury and subsequent seizures. Avoid recreational drugs. People with epilepsy should take medication as directed and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol.