What to Do During & After a Seizure – University of Utah Health Care

Feb 11, 2021 3:30 PM

A seizure is a medical condition that causes abnormal activity and/or body movements after a sudden and uncontrolled disturbance in your brain. Most people associate seizures with a condition called epilepsy, but you can experience a seizure even without having this condition. Seizures can occur after a head injury, after a stroke, or as a result of certain infections and illnesses, such as meningitis. Its important to recognize the signs of a seizure and understand what to do if you or someone around you is experiencing one.

The exact signs and symptoms of a seizure can vary a lot from one person to another. Its important to be aware of your own body to spot the signs of a seizure as soon as possible.

The most common symptoms prior to seizure include:

Young children and babies can also experience seizures, but they may not be able to tell you what is going on. Common signs for children and babies include:

If you notice these symptoms and believe you are about to experience a seizure, try to get someplace safe where you will not get injured if you lose consciousness. If you are around others, tell them you think you might be experiencing a seizure so they can look for warning signs and help you stay safe.

Most of the time a seizure does not require urgent medical attention. The best thing you can do is make sure the person is safe and comfortable and will not get injured during the seizure by:

Contrary to what you may have seen in the movies, there are also things you should never do when someone is having a seizure.

Do not:

Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes and will not require any emergency medical attention. However, if someone is experiencing a seizure that lasts longer than two minutes, or they lose consciousness and it does not come back right after the seizure, you should call 911 right away. Its also good to know the warning signs of other serious issues that would require immediate medical attention.

Find out as much as you can about what happened during the seizure from someone who was there. Keep track of seizures and potential triggers by writing down:

If you experience a seizure, its important to tell your primary care physician. He or she can help you determine if you need to see a neurologist and give you a referral if necessary. While it is possible to experience just one seizure the risk of having another seizure within two years of your first one is between 21% and 45%. Depending on the cause of the seizure, your risk could be even higher.

A neurology specialist will review your medical history, perform an exam, and use one or more diagnostic tools and tests to determine if you need ongoing treatment or are at higher risk for another seizure.

There are several treatment options available to help control seizures. Medications successfully control symptoms in about two-thirds of people with seizures. For those who do not respond to medication, there are also surgical options available, including:

University of Utah Health has a comprehensive Epilepsy Program to diagnose and treat patients who experience epilepsy. Learn more about the treatment options available and schedule an appointment with a neurologist today.

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What to Do During & After a Seizure - University of Utah Health Care