Help during and after an epileptic attack

Actions after an epileptic attack

An attack of epilepsy can be considered completed when a person’s muscles return to normal and are completely relaxed.
Sometimes the state of relaxation is accompanied by involuntary emptying of the bladder. The patient will not show any reactions for several minutes, but his condition will improve significantly. After the seizure ends, the following must be done: Place the person in a comfortable position on one side, if this was not done during the seizure. It is necessary to prevent the root of the tongue from sinking. Ask strangers, if any, to leave

Those who are able to provide some help, relatives, can stay with the person. Observe whether there are small body twitches. Support the patient if he tries to get up so that he does not fall. If you are in a place that is dangerous for the patient, where he may be injured when walking, you should leave him in the same place and do not move him until the ambulance arrives. The patient must decide for himself whether he needs medical care. It takes about 10-15 minutes until the condition is completely normalized, during which it is important to stay close to the person. You should not give a person medicine. If this is not the first attack in his life, he himself probably knows what to do next, what medications to take

When something like this happens for the first time, a diagnostic examination of the body is required to determine what means to treat it. Drinks containing caffeine are not recommended for the patient. In addition to them, you should not give a person spicy foods, salty or other substances that can provoke excitement of the nervous system. If a person really wants to sleep, you should not disturb him. It would be right to create the necessary conditions for this. Emergency care for an epileptic seizure consists of creating comfortable conditions for the patient.

After an attack of epilepsy, there are situations when the patient is unable to normalize the respiratory process. In this case, he needs to try to breathe as deeply as possible, drink water

It is important at such a moment to provide psychological support. The right thing to do is to talk to the person and try to calm him down if he is in shock.

It is better to lay the body on its side.

In what cases is it necessary to call an ambulance?

An epileptic attack is an unpleasant, but not fatal, manifestation of the disease, and, most often, it does not require mandatory medical intervention. However, in some cases it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance or transport the victim to the hospital.

Medical assistance should be provided to a person if the attack lasts more than 3 minutes, and the person is not breathing during this time. An ambulance is called if a seizure occurs in children, pregnant women, the elderly, if breathing after a seizure has not been restored, if an involuntary injury occurs during an attack, or when the seizures have ended, but the patient is still unconscious.

If water gets into the respiratory tract, it can lead to impaired respiratory function - in this case, he will definitely need the help of doctors.

If an attack occurs to a person for the first time, he must be examined by medical professionals.

What to do during an attack

Visually, an epileptic seizure, especially if you have not encountered it before, looks terrifying. As a rule, those around you at this moment become stupefied and do not understand what needs to be done. In fact, if an attack lasts several minutes, and basically it does, it does not pose any particular danger to a person if you protect him from the traumatic space and monitor him at this moment.

First aid for epilepsy is as follows:

sharp convulsive contractions begin instantly and at this moment the patient is no longer able to control himself

It is important to have time to pick him up and place him on a flat surface so that he does not injure himself when he falls; under your head, place a pillow, blanket or cushion from the clothes you have at hand; release the neck and chest area to facilitate breathing, if this has not been done previously; try to carefully turn the patient’s head to the side so that he does not choke on his own saliva and possible vomit, but under no circumstances hold his head down by force; do not give the patient anything to drink during an attack; you should not try to restrain the convulsions by force, they are uncontrollable and you can only cause injury to the patient; if the mouth is open, insert a piece of cloth or a handkerchief so that the patient does not damage his tongue. If your jaw is clenched, do not try to open it, you will not be able to do this without causing damage; the patient may stop breathing for a few seconds, you should be prepared for this

In this case, you don’t need to do anything, breathing returns on its own within a couple of seconds, just watch your pulse. In exceptional cases, breathing may cease for longer, then artificial respiration should be performed and an ambulance should be called; at the time of a seizure, involuntary urination or defecation may occur, which is normal for this disease.

Classification, symptoms and clinic

In medicine, there are several types of status epilepticus depending on the type of seizure:

1. Generalized ES of extensive (convulsive) seizures. This is a series of seizures with tonic and clonic convulsions and complete loss of consciousness.
2. Generalized absence seizure syndrome. In this case, the attacks are regularly repeated, but the patient does not experience convulsions. Consciousness can be switched off (like a coma) or maintained. In this case, the attacks occur unnoticed by others. The patient appears a little strange, but is able to perform normal activities. There are cases of patients staying in this state for more than a day. The person has slight lethargy and confusion.

Partial ES. There are two types:

• ES of simple partial seizures. Usually they are preceded by an aura: the appearance of smells, sensations of sounds. This lasts a few seconds, the patient does not have time to complain about his condition. Then the patient begins to twitch the corners of the mouth, tongue, and facial muscles, then the spasms spread to the whole body;

ES of complex partial seizures. They represent a combination of twilight consciousness with automatisms (uncontrolled actions). This could be: swallowing or chewing movements, rubbing hands, meaningless speech, sleepwalking. The patient may run somewhere, knocking over everything in his path. Such attacks last about 40 minutes, followed by complete amnesia.

Neonatal ES. Occurs in children in the first days of life. It is characterized by the occurrence of a series of flexion and extension movements, throwing back the head, and rolling the eyes.

Initial ES. Characterized by sudden loss of consciousness, screaming and convulsive contractions of the chest.

Clonic ES. It may be a consequence of epilepsy or occur with a strong increase in temperature (in children). Contractions of the muscles of the limbs, noisy breathing, biting the tongue, and convulsions are observed.

Tonic ES. More common in children with epilepsy. It begins with muscle hypertension, throwing back the head, and stopping breathing.

Myoclonic ES. Convulsions occur in the upper part of the body (arms, head, shoulders twitch). The patient may be conscious.

ES of convulsive seizures. Occurs most often. After one attack, consciousness does not return or returns partially, then the attack develops again. The muscle contractions are so strong that they can cause bone fractures. The patient clenches his teeth, arches his back, and foams at the mouth. Often an epileptic screams during an attack from severe pain. After the seizures stop, a coma sets in, consciousness does not return, and a new attack begins.

First aid for epilepsy, what to do

Epilepsy is an incurable disease and is classified as chronic. Therefore, although there are many ways to help sick people, nevertheless, an attack can happen at any time.

In the past, an epileptic seizure led people into confusion and confusion, causing sacred fear. Now this disease has been well studied, because according to WHO, more than 40 million people suffer from it. Therefore, even if there are no relatives with epilepsy in your immediate environment, you still need to know the rules of first aid. After all, even a stranger may need it at any moment.

First aid for an epileptic attack, what you should and should not do during a seizure, video

Epilepsy is a chronic disease that manifests itself in the form of convulsive attacks and seizures.
associated with impaired perception of the external world (vision, smell, hearing), reactive (speech) and motor (uncontrolled, inconsistent gestures, numbness of the limbs or body) capabilities. Loss of consciousness is also possible (as a sudden attack or a consequence of several seizures in a fairly short period of time).

Epilepsy does not always begin immediately with frightening tonic-clonic seizures (screams, convulsive shudders, throwing back of the head, incomprehensible sounds). This form of epilepsy can develop gradually.

The first “bells” of the presence of the disease can be nightmares, night urination, screaming, and behavioral disturbances. Also, constant short-term stupors (gazing at one point, lack of reaction to others) can lead to a more complex form of epilepsy.

Despite the range of possibilities of modern medicine, it is not always possible to completely cure this disease or even identify its causes.

Classifications of epileptic seizures

All types of seizures are divided into:

• primary generalized, when pathological sources of excitation are localized in both hemispheres of the brain;
• focal or partial: in this case, the epileptic focus covers only one hemisphere.

Seizures can also be:

• simple, that is, occurring without loss of consciousness;
• complex when the patient loses consciousness;
• secondary generalized: they begin as a partial attack of convulsions, or absence (“absence”) of the patient, and then turn into convulsive activity of all muscle groups.

How to provide first aid to a person having an epileptic seizure

Almost always, epilepsy attacks occur in the most unexpected places and when there seems to be no reason for it. Let's consider the algorithm for providing first aid if you find yourself in the thick of things.

The algorithm for your actions if you witness an epileptic seizure is as follows:

First of all, call an ambulance. It is better, of course, if someone else does this, since it is not very convenient to help the patient and talk to the doctor at the same time.

But it is also possible that no one will be near you, or everyone will be very busy with their own important matters and therefore will not be able to stop and help, which happens all the time in our country.

In this case, quickly dial 03 or 112 on your mobile phone and put it on speakerphone. While the beeps are ringing, place the phone next to the victim, and in the meantime, begin to provide assistance.

When the other end of the line picks up, shout something like: “A citizen is having an epileptic attack, the city is such and such, the street is such and such, and, accordingly, the house is such and such.” This sequence of actions will save time, since while the ambulance is driving, you will be able to provide first aid.

• Next, you should bring the patient into a comfortable lying position, and you cannot move him to another place - this is strictly prohibited. Don't be afraid to get his clothes dirty - he will fall anyway, but if you help him, he will hurt himself less.
• It is necessary to make sure that his head looks not up, but to the side, and it is better if at the same time he himself lies on his side - then he will not suffocate with vomit or tongue. However, you should not hold it too tightly, otherwise it may get injured. Grab him by the fleshy parts and try to press him down lightly, but it is better if someone also holds him by the legs.
• Put some kind of rag in his mouth - a sweater sleeve, or a crumpled shirt - this will protect him from biting his tongue. But if your mouth is tightly closed, do not open it, as you may break the patient’s jaw.
• At first he will convulse, but after a couple of minutes he will calm down and lie disoriented for another half hour. During this time, the doctor will definitely arrive.

A child has an epileptic attack

Today it has been scientifically proven that epileptic seizures affect the body of an adult and a child differently.

And although in 99% of cases they have more serious consequences for the child, the first aid procedure in both cases is not fundamentally different.

However, it is important to take into account that a child’s fragile body is more easily damaged, injured, and so on, and one cannot ignore the fact that children, as a rule, are weak in spirit. Therefore, all the above actions must be carried out even softer and more carefully.

Is it possible to perform artificial respiration and chest compressions if they stop?

This is a rather controversial issue. The fact is that it is believed that such actions can only aggravate the situation, however, if the patient does not breathe for a long time (more than 1.5 minutes) and his heart does not beat, he will die in any case, and the above-mentioned resuscitation techniques will allow at least great negative consequences, bring him back to life.

Epilepsy: first aid

Category: First aid

Epilepsy, as many probably know, is a disease expressed in paroxysmal disturbances of consciousness, as well as characteristic convulsions. The cause of seizures is the excessive bioelectrical activity inherent in neurons. Risk factors for people predisposed to epilepsy are those that cause neuronal damage.

Accordingly, epilepsy, for which first aid is extremely important for the patient, can occur due to brain injuries and infectious diseases (encephalitis, meningitis), as well as due to tumors and addictions to alcohol and drugs.

Epileptic seizures are almost always unexpected for the patient, and they often plunge people around them into a state of shock. Meanwhile, a generalized seizure is often felt by the patient several hours, or even days before its onset. Its symptoms manifest themselves in headaches and irritability, instability of moods, etc.

The convulsions themselves are often preceded by an aura that has strictly individual pleasant or unpleasant characteristics (joy and delight or headache and nausea). Almost immediately the person loses consciousness, followed by a possible scream. At first there is a tonic convulsion (about 30 seconds), followed by clonic convulsions (short, with twitching of the face and alternate flexion/extension of the limbs). The face becomes pale and livid, foam comes out of the mouth, and the pupils dilate. Patients often bite their tongue and may experience involuntary urination. The pressure rises sharply, after which muscle relaxation occurs, transitioning to sleep of varying degrees of duration. As for the duration of the seizure, it can be on the order of several minutes, or it can last up to half an hour; mainly during this period the patient experiences memory loss.

Epilepsy, during which first aid is provided before the arrival of doctors, requires the following actions:

To avoid injury, the patient should be placed on a flat, soft surface or objects that soften the blows (for example, clothing) should be placed under parts of the body that are beating in a seizure. The waist and neck should be freed from objects that tighten them and complicate breathing

Accordingly, the influence exerted by a belt, collar, tie and other objects is eliminated. If possible, the patient should be positioned in such a way that the possibility of inhaling saliva and vomit is excluded, that is, it is better to turn the head, like the body, to one side. It is important to hold your arms and legs, but without preventing cramps, because this can cause their fracture or other injuries. In a situation in which the patient’s mouth is open during an attack, something soft (for example, a handkerchief or napkin) is placed between the teeth. This measure will help prevent biting of the cheeks and tongue, as well as crumbling and fracture of teeth.

If the jaw is tightly closed, you should not attempt to open the mouth by force or insert hard objects between the teeth - this can also lead to injury to the teeth or jaw, including a fracture. During convulsions, water and medications should not be given, because there is a high probability of them getting into the respiratory tract.

The completion of the seizure, as we have already noted, leads to the patient falling asleep. There is no need to wake him up.

Preventive measures

Is it possible to prevent epilepsy? Epilepsy can be congenital or acquired. In the second case, it is quite possible to avoid its development.

If attacks cannot be avoided, it is important to do everything to ensure that they happen as rarely as possible. Seeing a child's seizures, many parents panic.

In order not to experience the agony of seeing how your baby suffers, it is necessary to engage in disease prevention

Seeing convulsions in a child, many parents panic. In order not to experience the agony of seeing your baby suffer, it is necessary to prevent the disease.

In children

Preventive measures are necessary already during pregnancy planning.
If after the birth of the child the disease nevertheless manifests itself, it is necessary to begin its treatment as soon as possible.

Teachers working with him must be informed about his illness. They must be able to provide first aid if necessary.

It is unrealistic to completely eliminate the risk of developing the disease, but it is possible to significantly reduce it. To do this you need:

• provide the child with proper nutrition;
• make sure he gets enough sleep;
• do everything to prevent him from getting traumatic brain injuries;
• treat all diseases in a timely manner;
• give up alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.

In adults

Adults can also develop epilepsy after a serious traumatic brain injury or stroke.

The disease is often found in people who have an excessive love of alcoholic beverages.

Measures to prevent epilepsy in adults are as follows:

• preventing marriages between people whose relatives have epilepsy;
• eliminating stressful situations whenever possible;
• genetic control during pregnancy planning;
• timely treatment of infectious diseases;
• exclusion of all kinds of intoxications;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
• a complete ban on alcohol and tobacco.

Diagnostic methods

Timely diagnosis of epilepsy in childhood will prevent the disease from developing into severe forms.

Stages and methods for determining pathology:

1. Collection of anamnesis of pathology:

• visual examination of the child;
• when the first signs were noted;
• clarification of possible genetic predisposition;
• eliminating the possibility of developing the disease due to injury during childbirth or due to impaired brain formation in the womb;
• identifying possible provoking factors (after which attacks occur more often under the supervision of parents);
• description of the frequency of seizures and their manifestation.

2. The study of brain cells using an electroencephalogram allows us to identify the focus of the accumulation of excited neurons and track the activity of nerve cells.

3. Gene research. To determine the transmission of a disease by inheritance or to detect gene mutations.

4. Magnetic resonance or computed tomography. To study the activity of brain cells.

5. Study of behavior during an epileptic seizure. For this purpose, provoking factors are created (bright light, loud sound, physical or mental overload);

6. Examination of the fundus by an ophthalmologist.

Additionally, urine and blood tests are taken. A change in their composition may indicate the probable cause of the development of seizures.

If the development of epilepsy is suspected due to previous injuries, infectious diseases or the presence of a tumor, the following are additionally prescribed:

• X-ray of the brain (for injuries);
• electrocardiogram (if the heart is not functioning properly);
• spinal puncture (if the development of a tumor or the influence of infection is suspected).

After completing the diagnostic procedures and confirming the diagnosis, parents receive instructions on the rules of first aid and the prescription of treatment. The child remains under regular supervision of a neurologist and pediatrician (the frequency of visits is determined individually).

What to do if you suspect an attack is coming

An epileptic attack occurs suddenly, taking others by surprise, but it is also often preceded by an aura, a state of foreshadowing of an approaching attack.

The symptoms of an aura are not too pronounced, but you can still pay attention to them:

• dilated pupils;
• increased level of anxiety in the patient;
• short-term muscle contractions;
• severe irritability and activity;
• lack of response to external stimuli.

If you suspect that there will be an attack soon, you need to do a number of manipulations:

• protect a person from traumatic objects;
• prepare a soft object that can be placed under the head during an attack, it can be a pillow, a cushion of clothing, a folded blanket, etc.;
• free your neck from suffocating objects: remove your tie or scarf, unbutton your shirt;
• allow fresh air. If you are in a room at this moment, open the windows to make it easier for the patient to breathe.

Family and Children

What can you do for epilepsy? Despite many contraindications, people with epileptic disease are full members of society. They can engage in certain activities, have family and friends.

Can people with epilepsy have children? If an epileptic woman has a close relationship with her partner in her life, then she may well become pregnant and give birth to a baby. But you should prepare for the pregnancy process in advance.

Seizures of the disease can pose a threat to bearing a baby. During attacks, there is a high probability of injury; as a result, placental abruption may develop. A pregnant woman needs to more carefully monitor her daily routine, rest, and nutrition.

It is important to take the right vitamins, folic acid and others. However, throughout the entire period of bearing the baby, the woman takes anticonvulsants.

The better a woman’s health and well-being, the higher the chances of giving birth to a healthy child and raising him.

A woman suffering from epilepsy can give birth either by caesarean section or naturally

However, it is important to remember that the baby receives AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs) from the mother during pregnancy and after birth. You should be prepared for the possibility that your newborn will have allergic reactions.

How does proper nutrition help?

A person's diet should be filled with sufficient fat, but with a reduced amount of protein. This improves brain function and prevents calcium deficiency from occurring - it plays an important role in nerve conduction. Among protein foods, fermented milk, eggs, and fish are preferred. Other nutrition tips include:

• eat every 4 hours;
• do not eat 2 hours before bedtime;
• consume a lot of plant foods;
• do not forget about vegetable oils;
• Instead of whole milk, use soy and coconut milk;
• do not cook in aluminum cookware;
• avoid constipation;
• add bran to food.

Fish and meat are eaten boiled or steamed

It is important to eat more foods with folic acid - nuts, greens. Alcohol, smoked foods, soda, a lot of sugar and salt are very harmful for patients - these foods can provoke seizures

Coffee, strong tea, vinegar, and hot spices also have a bad effect on the nervous system. Fasting improves brain function - it is practiced especially often for epilepsy that is not amenable to drug therapy. The procedure for therapeutic fasting is determined only by a doctor.

Other folk remedies

Since epilepsy causes a shift in the blood reaction to the alkaline side, it is recommended to take acidic juices. At any time of the day, traditional medicine advises taking the juices of citrus fruits, gooseberries, cherries, apples, and currants.

If you hold a little vegetable oil in your mouth for a minute every morning, this reduces the risk of attacks.

Alternative methods of treatment suggest the use of aromatherapy, especially if seizures occur at night. Before going to bed, you should burn myrrh resin, nettle seeds, mint and thyme leaves. You can also drip lavender and lemon balm oil into the aroma lamp. “Garlic milk” has proven itself quite well - you need to boil a clove of garlic in 100 ml of milk for 5 minutes, then strain, drink the drink warm before bed.

Dangerous products

It is important for epileptics to treat their diet correctly and not eat everything that comes to hand. You should make the right diet

After all, some foods can trigger both migraine and epileptic seizures.

Most often, people with epilepsy are advised to eat more dairy products. But this does not mean that you need to exclude vegetables and meat from your diet. This food can be eaten, but it is better boiled. You need to eat varied and balanced. Food should be tasty and enjoyable. Proper nutrition helps increase the time between attacks. It is better to choose a diet together with your doctor.

If you have epilepsy, drinking alcohol is contraindicated. It is recommended to exclude even low-alcohol drinks. They aggravate the course of attacks. It is better to replace them with kvass, soft drinks, and cocktails.

It is not recommended to eat a lot of carbohydrates. The brain runs on glucose, but too much of it can trigger seizures. A protein-fat diet is preferable. Epilepsy attacks are also provoked by drinking too much liquid and overeating. You should eat no later than 2 hours before bedtime.

It is better to exclude salty and pickled foods or consume them to a minimum. You should also limit spices, smoked, and hard-to-digest foods. There is no need to add a lot of sugar or salt to your food.

Diet features for adults:

1. You should eat about 4 times a day in small portions.
2. For your table, you should choose food rich in proteins to restore the liver. After all, anticonvulsant medications have a negative effect on the liver.
3. Foods containing vitamin B6 must be included in the diet.
4. Food should not be eaten very cold or very hot.
5. It is better to use gentle cooking methods.
6. The consumption of “empty” carbohydrates, which quickly satisfy hunger, should be kept to a minimum.

How to dock at home

This disease is a consequence of disorders in the human nervous system, so the attack can be relieved with the help of sedatives.

You can prepare them yourself at home:

1. Valerian . Take 1 tbsp per glass of chilled boiled water. valerian roots and incubated for up to 10 hours. Take 1 tbsp. three times a day for 2 months.
2. Chernobyl . You need to take 0.5 liters of dark beer and 30 g of Chernobyl roots, and then place on fire. The product is boiled for 5 minutes after boiling. The decoction helps reduce the severity of cramps.
3. Motherwort . For 0.5 liters of boiling water take 1 tbsp. dried herbs and leave for 30 minutes. The product is taken 1 tbsp. before meals three times a day.
4. Peony . To prepare, brew 1 teaspoon of peony roots in a glass of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. The drug is taken half an hour before meals 3 times a day.
5. Novo-Passit. This is a medical product based on natural ingredients. Has a sedative effect. Take 1 tablet 3 times a day.
6. Apricot . You will need apricot kernels. You need to eat at least 3-4 jokes a day.
7. Onion . The juice is extracted from the onions. Take 1 teaspoon in the morning and evening.
8. Herbal collection . You need to take 1 teaspoon of each of the following herbs: blue cyanosis, Bogorodskaya grass, oregano, St. John's wort and comb grass. The herbs are brewed in 0.5 liters of boiling water and placed in a thermos for 3 hours. The infusion is taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals for 1 month.

It is no longer possible to stop an attack once it has begun. There is only an opportunity to reduce the likelihood of future seizures with the help of medications or folk remedies, the action of which is aimed at the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Symptomatic manifestations

The manifestations of an epileptic seizure in an adult and a child are different. Signs in young patients are not always detected early. In most cases, parents notice a disturbance of consciousness during the transition from one form of epilepsy to another. In other cases, epileptic seizures develop according to the standard algorithm of actions.

Before epilepsy, mild dizziness and sometimes auditory or visual hallucinations appear.

1. The previous condition is characterized by mild dizziness, sometimes accompanied by auditory or visual hallucinations.
2. After loss of consciousness, convulsions develop that affect all muscle groups or individual areas, and breathing is impaired.
3. Convulsions are uncontrollable; during loss of consciousness, the risk of biting the tongue and bloody saliva flowing into the respiratory system increases.
4. Seizures cause greater stress on the cardiovascular system, which leads to changes in heart rhythm. Possible release of vomit.

A form of epilepsy with the absence of seizures is accompanied by a slight loss of consciousness, the person’s eyelids tremble, and the tongue sinks.

The most complex symptoms include status epilepticus. Convulsions alternate, and the person remains unconscious. It is critical and requires emergency treatment for an epileptic seizure.