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If a generalized seizure occurs, give appropriate emergency first aid.
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EMERGENCY FIRST-AID TREATMENT
- Protect the person from injury. Clear the area of furniture or other objects that may cause injury from falls during the seizure.
- Do not attempt to force a hard object (such as a spoon, or a tongue depressor, etc.) between the teeth. You can cause more damage than you can prevent by doing this!
- Do not attempt to restrain or hold the person down during the seizure.
- Protect the person from inhaling vomit or mucus. Turn the person to the side if vomiting occurs. Keep the person on his or her side while sleeping after the seizure is over.
- If the person having a seizure turns blue or stops breathing, try to position the head to prevent the tongue from obstructing the airway. Breathing usually starts on its own once the seizure is over.
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CPR or mouth-to-mouth breathing is rarely needed after seizures and cannot be performed during the seizure.
- Repeated or prolonged seizures without regaining consciousness or returning to normal behavior between them (status epilepticus) may cause severe lack of oxygen in the body. This an emergency situation requiring immediate professional assistance!
EMERGENCY TREATMENT BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL (status epilepticus)
- Measures to protect the airway may be needed, including use of tubes to keep the airway open. Breathing should be supported as needed.
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Thiamine and/or intravenous glucose may be given.
- Medications such as diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam, or anticonvulsant medications such as phenytoin or phenobarbital, may control prolonged, repeated generalized seizures. They are usually injected into a vein. Other medical treatment may be needed, including general anesthesia with muscle-paralyzing medications.
- After status epilepticus is controlled, anticonvulsants may be begun and tests are performed to determine the cause of the condition, if not known already.
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