What To Do When Someone is Having Fits ?

What To DoWhen Someone is Having Fits ?DR. BITHIKA SHUKLA

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla1The First Question is

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla2What is Epilepsy / Fits?What is Epilepsy or Fits?Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures

Epilepsy is also known as Seizure Disorder32/11/2015Dr B Shukla3NOTES:Most seizures occur spontaneously and unpredictably. So, What is a Seizure?A brief, excessive discharge of electrical activity in the brain that alters one or more of the following:MovementSensationBehaviorAwareness42/11/2015Dr B Shukla4NOTES:There are more than 20 different kinds of seizures. Seizure symptoms depend on where in the brain the excessive electrical activity occurs and how much of the brain is affected during the seizure.Seizures are temporary and episodic.What does all this mean ?

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla5Let us try to understand this in a simpler manner.How Does The Brain Control Our Body ?

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla6The brain sends out an electrical message.The electrical message moves through the body (with the help of neurons).

The electrical message reaches different parts of the body eg the hand and makes it move (by affecting muscles).

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla7In epilepsy, there is a problem with the electrical messages in the brain.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla8People with epilepsy experience sudden bursts of electricity in their brain - called a SEIZURE.

Seizures disrupt the normal working of the brain for a short time.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla9 Seizures May Be

GENERALISED FOCALOR2/11/2015Dr B Shukla10 In a generalized seizure the electrical disruption involves the entire brain.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla11..And the patient experiences Generalised Tonic ,Clonic Convulsions which are also known as Seizures or Fits

Tonic (stiffening)Clonic(jerking)2/11/2015Dr B Shukla12Why do We All need to Know about Epilepsy ?Epilepsy can take effect suddenly, at any time ,without warning.

We can all help people with epilepsy to stay safe

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla13Common Causes of EpilepsyFor seventy percent (70%) of people with epilepsy the cause is unknownFor the remaining thirty percent (30%) common identifiable causes include:Brain traumaBrain lesions (e.g. tumors)Poisoning of some types(lead,strychnine etc)Infections of the brain (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis, measles)Febrile convulsions in childrenBrain injury at birthAbnormal brain development142/11/2015Dr B Shukla14NOTES:Brain trauma is the major identified cause of epilepsy in teens and adults.Remember.Epilepsy is NOT contagious

Epilepsy is NOT a form of mental illness

Patients are usually not aware they are having a seizure and may not remember what happened

152/11/2015Dr B Shukla15NOTES:You should never put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure.

Remember.Patients are often unconscious for sometime after the seizures are overEven after they become conscious they may remain confused for a whileThe majority of people who have epilepsy do not have other impairments and can lead very normal lives.

162/11/2015Dr B Shukla16NOTES:You should never put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure.

When someone is having fits what should I do ?

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla17FIRST AID FOR SEIZURESDo or dont?

First aid for seizures involves responding in ways that can keep the person safe until the seizure stops by itself/ by medical intervention2/11/2015Dr B Shukla18Lots of info in videoLets see what you remember to DO or not DODiscuss why.18DOsKeep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.

DONT

Dont Panic2/11/2015Dr B Shukla19DO

Clear the surrounding area of any sharp or hard objects to avoid injury to patient2/11/2015Dr B Shukla20DO

Ease the person to the floor and put something soft and flat, like a folded jacket, under his head.2/11/2015Dr B Shukla21DORemove eyeglasses and loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla22DO

Put them on their side as soon as possible2/11/2015Dr B Shukla23DO

Time the seizure with your watch.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla24DO

Call an ambulance

If the seizure continues for longer than five minutes without signs of slowing down If the person remains unconscious for a long time If the person has trouble breathing afterwards, appears to be injured or in pain The recovery is unusual in some way, 2/11/2015Dr B Shukla25DO

Stay with the patient until they are fully recovered.Be friendly & reassure them2/11/2015Dr B Shukla26DOOffer to call a taxi, friend or relative to help the person get home if he seems confused or unable to get home without help.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla27DONT

DONT PANIC !

Above all, 2/11/2015Dr B Shukla28DONT

Dont try to hold them down in an effort to stop the seizureThe seizures can NOT be stopped in this manner. They will stop only once the brain stops sending out abnormal impulses2/11/2015Dr B Shukla29DONT

Dont try to force them into consciousness.In most cases, they will gradually recover consciousness on their own.2/11/2015Dr B Shukla30DONTDo not try to force anything, likea spoon, in the persons mouth. Efforts to hold the tongue down can injure the teeth or jaw.

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla31DONTDo not offer the person water or food until fully alert

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla322/11/2015Dr B Shukla33

Using presence of mind with quick action and care,We can help to keep any one having fits , safe !

CAVEATThis information is for general awareness only

For any detailed information and patient management please contact your doctor2/11/2015Dr B Shukla34

2/11/2015Dr B Shukla35