About this topic
A seizure happens when your brain sends out abnormal signals through its electrical activity. It may cause shaking and fast movements that you cannot control. You will not be aware of this. A seizure most often lasts for a few seconds to minutes and then causes you to be very tired. You may seem to be asleep or confused during this time. In a little while, you should return to your normal self. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Be sure to take all your seizure drugs. Do not skip doses. Do not suddenly stop taking these drugs.
- Wear a medical alert ID.
- Keep your home safe so you do not get hurt when your seizure happens. For example:
- Keep doors inside your home unlocked or unblocked.
- Carpet all floors to keep them soft in case you have a seizure and fall.
- Be careful when taking a bath. If you have a seizure while in the tub, you might drown. Showers are safer.
- Replace glass doors with safety glass.
- Replace glass dishes and glassware with plastic.
- Wear a helmet or headgear to protect your head during riding, skiing, and other active sports.
- Stay away from doing things that can put you or someone else in danger if you have a seizure.
Tell your family, friends, and others about your health problem. If a seizure happens, tell your family and friends to: ‚
- Clear the area so you are not hurt
- Place you on a flat surface
- Not try to hold you still
- Not put anything in your mouth
- Turn you onto your side if you are throwing up
- Stay with you until you are feeling better and know what happened
- Time the seizure
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may order tests, such as scans or tests of your brains electrical activity. Be sure to keep these visits and follow up to get test results. You may have a blood test to see if the level of the seizure drug in your blood is good. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor will give you a drug or drugs for your seizures. There are many kinds of these drugs. The choice will depend on what type of seizure you are having and how well the drug works for you. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- You should be able to work out, dance, and play sports such as tennis, golf, bowling, and others.
- Always have someone with you when swimming.
- Follow laws in your area about driving with a seizure problem.
- Talk to your doctor about the right activities for you.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Do not take drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
What problems could happen?
- You could fall and get hurt while having a seizure.
- The drugs you are taking can have side effects. They can make you feel tired and even depressed.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Get enough sleep. Not getting the right amount of sleep can make you more likely to have a seizure.
- Eat regular, well-balanced meals.
- Do not skip doses of your seizure drug. This could cause you to have a seizure.
- Lower your stress.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Seizures happen more often
- Seizures are worse
- Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- Signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing yourself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life
- Changes in the way you act that are not like you
- Feeling weak
- Change in balance
- Side effects from your drugs
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Do not miss doses of your seizure drugs. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is within a few hours of your next dose, skip it and take your next dose.
- Do not run out of your seizure drugs. Get refills before you run out.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what to do if I have a seizure.
- I can tell you what I need to do if my seizures happen more often or last more than 5 minutes.
Where can I learn more?
Epilepsy Foundation ‚
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/healthrisks/injuriesfromseizures.cfm ‚
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/whatisepilepsy/index.cfm ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚