May 22 marks the start of National Epilepsy Week with the seven days used to raise awareness of the condition.
Epilepsy is a common condition that impacts the brain and causes frequent seizures. The condition is often life long, usually starting in childhood. However, a person can be diagnosed at any age.
Seizures occur due to bursts of electrical activity that can temporarily affect the brain and how it works, causing a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms can range from jerking and shaking movements to collapsing and passing out.
It can sometimes be vital that the person suffering receives the right support and medical attention, so it is important to know the symptoms and what you should do if someone you are around begins to seize.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Seizures often impact people in different ways. The level of impact depends on which part of the brain is involved.
According to the NHS, possible symptoms of epilepsy include:
- uncontrollable jerking and shaking, called a "fit"
- losing awareness and staring blankly into space
- becoming stiff
- strange sensations, such as a "rising" feeling in the tummy, unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in your arms or legs
- collapsing
It is common for a person experiencing a seizure to pass out and not remember what happened when waking up.
What to do if someone takes a seizure/epileptic fit
In order to make sure anyone experiencing a seizure is cared for in the best way, Epilepsy Action has listed a few dos and don'ts.
Do:
- Protect them from injury (remove harmful objects from nearby)
- Cushion their head
- Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery – it may give you information about their seizures and what to do
- Time how long the seizure lasts
- Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the jerking has stopped (see picture)
- Stay with the them until they are fully recovered
- Be calmly reassuring
Don't:
- Don’t restrain their movements
- Don’t put anything in their mouth
- Don’t try to move them unless they are in danger
- Don’t give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
- Don’t attempt to bring them round
You should call for an ambulance if:
- You are aware it is the person's first seizure
- The seizure lasts more than five minutes
- The person takes one seizure after another without regaining consciousness
- The person is injured during the seizure
- They have trouble breathing following the seizure
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