About this topic
Your brain normally has electrical activity. If the signals become abnormal, your child may have a seizure. There are many kinds of seizures. Some are very easy to see and others are not. Some seizures cause shaking and movements that the child cannot control. Others cause a child to stop responding and stare for a few seconds. Your child will not know that the seizure is happening. The seizure may last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Your child may be very tired afterwards. ‚
Children are more likely to have seizures than adults. Causes may be a brain injury, drugs, or a problem with the nervous system. Infections and other illnesses can cause seizures too. Treatment will depend on the type or what is causing the seizures. Doctors will use drugs, diet, and sometimes even surgery to help control seizures. ‚
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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 to care for your child.
- Make sure that your child takes all the antiseizure drugs ordered. Do not let your child skip doses. Do not let your child stop taking these drugs without talking with the doctor. Skipping doses or stopping an antiseizure drug suddenly may make your child have more seizures, or they may get worse.
- Have your child always wear a medical alert ID.
- Tell family, friends, and teachers about your childs seizures. Then, if a seizure happens, they will know what to do and how to help.
- Keep a record of your child's seizures. You may be able to figure out if there is a trigger for them. This will help your child stay away from these triggers.
- Know what to do if your child has a seizure.
- Keep calm when a seizure attack happens. Your child will return to normal self after the attack. Do not hold your child still during the attack.
- Time the seizure with your watch.
- Clear the area of furniture and sharp objects.
- Do not put anything in your child's mouth. It may damage teeth or you may get bitten. Turn the child on his side if vomiting happens.
- Stay with your child until feeling better. Reassure your child.
- Help your child recover. Allow your child to rest and sleep in a quiet place after the attack. It is normal for your child to be tired or confused after a seizure.
- Keep your home child friendly. It will keep your child from getting hurt when a seizure attack happens. For example:
- Keep hard, sharp, or hot objects out of reach.
- Carpet all floors to keep them soft in case a seizure happens and your child falls.
- Replace glass doors with safety glass.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your child may have a blood test. This will check to see if the level of the seizure drug in the blood is good.
- An electroencephalogram or EEG may be ordered to test seizure activity in the brain.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs for your childs seizure. There are many kinds of these drugs. The choice will depend on the type of seizure disorder your child has. It will also depend on how well the drug works for your child. Your doctor may want you to give your child a drug if your child's seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- Let your child do normal activities. Allow your child to play games but make sure that the area is safe. Protect your child during sports and activities like riding or skiing. Make sure your child wears a helmet and sports gear during these activities.
- Do not let your child swim alone. Always have someone with your child when swimming.
- If your child is old enough to drive, follow laws in your area about driving with a seizure problem.
What changes to diet are needed?
The doctor may suggest a special diet for your child. This is a very strict diet. Do not start it unless you are working together with your childs doctor and a dietician. For some children, this diet helps to lessen seizure attacks. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Your child may get hurt while having a seizure.
- Your child may have side effects from the drugs. They can make your child feel tired and depressed.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Have your child get enough sleep. Offer a healthy diet. Make sure your child gets regular exercise. Try to lessen your childs stress. Unhealthy habits can make a seizure more likely to happen.
- Keep your child away from flashing light or strobe lights. These may cause seizures in some people.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Call for emergency help if your childs seizure:
- Happens while swimming
- Lasts more than 5 minutes
- Is followed right away by another seizure
- Is different from your child's normal seizure
- Signs of low mood. These may include nervousness, anxiety, or lack of interest in normal activities.
- Your child is having side effects from the drugs
- You have any concerns about your child
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. 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 childs condition.
- I can tell you what to do if my child has a seizure.
- I can tell you when I need to call for emergency help with my child's seizures.
Where can I learn more?
Epilepsy Foundation ‚
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. ‚