Seizures

The American Academy of Pediatrics describes a seizure as a “sudden temporary changes in physical movement, sensation, or behavior caused by abnormal electrical impulses in the brain”. (http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuriesemergencies/Pages/Seizures.aspx)

How Seizures Affect the Body

The brain is the “control center” of the body. It manages everything from movement and balance to emotions and memory. When a seizure occurs, some or all brain functions are affected.

The Brain Working Normally

The brain uses electrical signals to send messages throughout the body. Signals sent from different parts of the brain control different body functions. For instance, one part of the brain controls balance. Another part controls speech. A doctor can record brain signals using a test called an EEG (electroencephalogram).

The Brain During a Seizure

During a seizure, excessive electrical signals in the brain disrupt its normal activity. How this affects body functions depends on two main factors. First is the location of the seizure. For instance, a seizure in a part of the brain that controls movement might cause an arm or leg to jerk. Second is the type of seizure. For instance, a seizure that affects more of the brain may affect more of the body.

Types of Seizures

● Partial Seizures: Also called focal seizures, these seizures start in one part of the brain and may spread. There are two types: ● Simple Partial Seizures: These may start with an aura, or warning. Auras are seizures that can involve strange tastes or smells, stomach upset, or a feeling of fear or déjà vu. Simple partial seizures may also involve jerking movements or hallucinations. The person is awake and aware that they are having a seizure. ● Complex Partial Seizures: These may also start with an aura. The person may become motionless and have a vacant stare. Or he or she may perform “automatisms.” These are repeated movements, such as smacking lips or gesturing. The person may be awake but unaware of the seizure, or may lose consciousness ● Generalized Seizures: These seizures affect the entire brain at once. The most common types of generalized seizures are: ● Absence Seizures (petit mal seizures): These seizures involve a brief lapse of awareness. Signs can include staring, eye blinking, and lip smacking. ● Tonic-Clonic Seizures (grand mal seizures): These may be the best-known type of seizure. The person loses consciousness and may fall to the ground. The body stiffens and then convulses, with the arms and legs jerking rhythmically.

● Myoclonic seizures: These seizures involve brief jerking movements. They usually affect both sides of the body. ● Atonic seizures (drop attacks): During these seizures, the person loses all muscle control and may fall or slump over.

© 2000-2012 Krames StayWell, 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instruction

Safety during a Seizure

All seizures should be treated with care, but tonic-clonic seizures (seizures during which you lose consciousness) require more attention.

What to Know

Seizures typically last less than 3 minutes. People recover safely from most seizures. During a tonic-clonic seizure, the person may appear to stop breathing or turn slightly blue. Afterward, the person may be tired, confused, and achy. He or she may need to sleep for several hours to fully recover.

What to Do

During any seizure, stay with the person until it is over. Note the time when the seizure starts and ends. And don’t try to stop the seizure: ● Move hard or sharp objects out of the way. ● Lay the person on a flat surface and turn them on their side. ● Place a flat, soft object under their head. ● Don’t try to restrain the person. ● Don’t put anything in the person’s mouth. They cannot swallow their tongue, and you risk breaking their teeth or being bitten. ● Don’t give the person medications during a seizure unless you’ve been trained by a doctor.

Call 911 if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, there is no conscious interval between 2 seizures, or several seizures occur in a row. These events could represent status epilepticus, a medical emergency. Also call 911 if the seizure is very different from past seizures, or if the person is pregnant.

© 2000-2012 Krames StayWell, 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Online Resources:

● Epilepsy Foundation: o https://www.epilepsy.com/ o 1-800-332-1000 o Email: ContactUs@efa.org o Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas: ▪ www.efmk.org ▪ 2340 E Meyer Blvd, Bldg 1, Ste 300B ▪ 816-444-2800 ▪ 844-415-7152 ▪ epilepsy@efmk.org ● American Academy of Pediatrics: o http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuriesemergencies/Pages/Seizures.aspx ● Kids Health: o http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/epilepsy.html ● CDC Training for School Nurses: o https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/our-training-and-education/managingstudents-seizures-school-nurse-training-program