ff - EFNW

1 The following are some suggestions to help people with Individualized aid If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the Could it be Epilepsy? epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer- Some people may require individualized care plans that legality of a person's possession of medication, the physi- Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per- gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam- cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis- son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs an ambulance: ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei- person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting early diagnosis and treatment.

2 The symptoms listed below are No need to call an ambulance zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera- his health even his life at risk. not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by 1. If medical jewelry or card says epilepsy.. pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev- some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is 2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes. first aid and should be individualized for each person. eral hours, the following may happen: present, a medical check up is recommended. 3. If consciousness returns without further incident. 4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress, For L aw Enfor cement Officers: A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall- Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses. or pregnancy.

3 Ing on cement floors, or in a confined area. Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel Epilepsy and Drugs An ambulance should be called Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus, control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue. 1. If the seizure has happened in water. the same sense that an infection can be cured. However, in which the convulsions continue non stop, or are Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when 2. If there's no medical , and no way of knowing seizures can be controlled c ompletely or significantly followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures. there's no response to questions or instructions. whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy. reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.

4 3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic. is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped 4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes. called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to medical facility is available. Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times. 5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex A convulsion, with or without fever. has ended. carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies. 6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak- risk a seizure. where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him- ing has stopped. Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.

5 Self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned, More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted. Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam). as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the person can increase agitated behavior. 2009 Epilepsy Foundation of America, Inc. 300 SFA Printed on FSC certified paper and first Aid Seizure Recognition 800-332-1000. advice. Readers are warned against changing medical schedules or life activities based on the information it contains without first consulting a physician. on the Web at or call This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information about epilepsy to the general public.

6 It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical or family member who has epilepsy, please visit us log on to or call 800-332-1000. disorders, living with epilepsy, or helping a friend For further information about epilepsy and the name of the Epilepsy Foundation nearest you, If you have any questions about epilepsy and seizure and offer a variety of programs to help people understand this common disorder. Foundation affiliates across the country. Epilepsy Foundations throughout the country have additional materials your door. people with epilepsy are also served by local Epilepsy parents and much, much more all delivered right to addition to programs conducted at the national level, ing research, safety tips, personal stories, advice for through services, education, advocacy and research. In ders new treatments and medicines, ground-break- experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy developments for people affected by seizure disor- people with seizures are able to participate in all life magazine EpilepsyUSA.

7 Each issue contains exciting their families. The organization works to ensure that Web events. You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly than three million people with epilepsy in the and by epilepsy through our eCommunities forums and agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more offers opportunities to network with others touched The Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary Our Web site has information about the disorder, About the Epilepsy Foundation Seizure Recognition and first Aid mal functioning of the brain's electrical system. A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han- A seizure in an airplane person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay We have almost three million reasons for w riting These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual as being drunk or high on illegal drugs.

8 The fact that dle each type. It's been produced in this form to encourage If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can on the bus until he arrives at his destination. this pamphlet for you. That's how many Americans have amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud- a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the epilepsy (seizure disorders). den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds easily be seen by people who meet the public. affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that I s a n E m e r g e n c y R o o m V i s i t to the confusion. the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across Needed? You may see several of them in a day, and not even it may swamp the whole system.

9 first Aid for Seizures in Special two or more seats with head and body turned on one An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone Of course, you can't see what's happening inside a per- Types of Seizures Circumstances side. has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it else .. except when they have a seizure. son's brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements, Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with- Even then you might not recognize what you were the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive) Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can out ill effects.

10 The average person is able to continue about seeing. the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are much of the total brain area is involved. be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat. seizure, there are some special circumstances in which his business after a rest period, and may need only limited what we call seizures. additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per- assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home. You might not know that the actions or movements Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which taking place were being caused by a t emporary medical A single seizure may be caused by a number of health most people generally think of when they hear the word of seizure. son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally condition.