What to Do if Someone Has a Seizure (Fit)

A seizure, also known as a fit, is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in a person's behavior, movements, or sensations. If someone has a seizure, it is essential to know how to respond to ensure their safety and provide appropriate care.

Types of Seizures

There are several types of seizures, including:

• Tonic-clonic seizures: Also known as grand mal seizures, these are the most common type of seizure and can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, and muscle contractions.
• Partial seizures: These seizures affect only a part of the brain and can cause localized symptoms such as twitching or numbness in one area of the body.
• Absence seizures: Also known as petit mal seizures, these are brief, mild seizures that can cause a person to stare blankly ahead and be unresponsive for a few seconds.

What to Do if Someone Has a Seizure

If someone has a seizure, follow these steps:

1. Stay calm: Keep calm and try not to panic. This will help you provide better care for the person having the seizure.
2. Clear the area: Move any objects or furniture that could cause injury away from the person having the seizure.
3. Turn them onto their side: Gently turn the person onto their side to help keep their airway clear. This is known as the recovery position.
4. Loosen tight clothing: Loosen any tight clothing around the person's neck to help them breathe more easily.
5. Do not restrain them: Do not try to hold the person down or restrain them during a seizure, as this can cause injury.
6. Do not put anything in their mouth: Do not put anything in the person's mouth, including your fingers or any objects, as this can cause more harm than good.
7. Time the seizure: Try to time how long the seizure lasts. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if the person has multiple seizures in a row without recovering in between, call for emergency medical help.
8. Seek medical attention: If the person has never had a seizure before, or if they have a history of seizures but this one is different from their usual seizures, seek medical attention immediately.

After the Seizure

After the seizure has stopped, follow these steps:

1. Stay with them: Stay with the person until they are fully recovered and aware of their surroundings.
2. Check for injuries: Check the person for any injuries that may have occurred during the seizure, such as cuts or bruises.
3. Provide reassurance: Provide reassurance and comfort to the person, as they may be confused or disoriented after a seizure.
4. Seek medical attention if necessary: If the person has any injuries or if you are concerned about their health, seek medical attention.

Preventing Seizures

While it is not always possible to prevent seizures, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of having a seizure:

• Taking medication as prescribed: If the person has a history of seizures, taking their medication as prescribed can help reduce the risk of having another seizure.
• Avoiding triggers: Identifying and avoiding triggers such as stress, lack of sleep, or certain medications can help reduce the risk of having a seizure.
• Getting regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help monitor the person's condition and adjust their treatment plan as needed.