Show How to Deal With Victims By Muriel Gordon The Health Center Have you ever wondered about the nature and cause of seizures Seizures in themselves are not diseases diseases diseases dis dis- dis- dis eases but are phenomena which may be disease related Severity varies from episodes lasting only a few seconds where the individual loses awareness to episodes where the individual becomes unconscious thrashes violently violently violently vio vio- heavily salivates and loses bowel and bladder control Conditions which may induce seizures include Fevers Head trauma Brain tumors Epilepsy Personal chemical imbalance Seizures are the result of abnormal abnormal abnormal abnor abnor- mal excessive neuronal discharges within the brain Conditions which interfere with neuronal metabolism activity of nerves causes injuries to neurons or otherwise interferes with the functioning of your nervous nervous nervous ner ner- system may cause seizures A seizure may include convulsions convulsions convulsions which are violent involuntary contractions or series of of voluntary muscles Convulsions Convulsions Convulsions are classified based on what muscles are arc involved severity of the spasm level of consciousness and whether it is disease related for example epilepsy Prior to a seizure many people will have an aura sometimes sensory sensory sensory ry related for example a taste smell visual or auditory sensation of hallucination Diagnosis EEGs EEG's electroencephalograph tests are typically performed on patients to diagnose the seizure cause Electrical activity of the brain is measured to help pinpoint the area of the brain with abnormal electrical activity Treatment for seizure activity may include surgery of the affected area or and/or anti medication What do you do First aid First aid begins with safety Position the patient on the ground removing any sharp objects or furniture to avoid injury Cushion the patients patient's head with witha a pillow or soft clothing Loosen tight neckwear Look for medical identification on patient Time the duration and interval of the seizures Do nots Never hold the patient down or restrict their movements Do not put anything in their mouth or give them anything to drink What to watch for report to medical personnel on arrival Time of seizure from beginning to end Muscular activity Level of consciousness Problems with breathing Deviations of eyeballs or tongue Presence of vomiting bleeding or salivation Your observations may be very beneficial in helping diagnose the cause and in planning treatment When the seizure has ended keep patient quiet and on their side They will probably be drowsy and sore from the convulsions More questions Stop by one of the two Health Centers We Ve will be happy to answer your questions |