Seizures – What is it, Symptoms and Treatment
What are the Symptoms of a Seizure: Seizures usuallycause loss of consciousness, followed by falling and intense muscle contractions. The elimination of feces and urine may also occur, the teeth may lock, salivation may increase considerably and the victim may become pale and have bluish lips. After the convulsive episode, the patient may return with mental confusion, not understanding what happened and with great drowsiness.
What Causes Seizures:
- Seizures can be triggered by a number of health problems, such as.
- Epilepsy.
- High fever in children under four years of age.
- Hydro electrolyte disturbances.
- Abstinence from alcohol or drugs.
- Drug’s use.
- Infections such as meningitis .
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Brain tumors.
What Types of Seizures Are There: Seizures can be of two types: partial or generalized. Partial seizures , also called focal, are those that affect only one hemisphere of the brain . The generalized ones affect both cerebral hemispheres and, obligatorily, there is a loss of consciousness.
Proceeding in Seizure Cases: When it comes to seizures, several myths surround the way to deal with the problem. Although well known, some actions should not be performed, such as trying to open the individual’s mouth, splashing water on the victim, trying to hold him or making him sniff alcohol and other products.
In cases of Convulsion, the Procedure Should Only:
- Place the individual who is convulsing with the head to the side to prevent choking.
- Protect the victim’s head , for example by placing a pillow for support.
- Loosening the clothing of the person having the seizure and removing objects such as eyeglasses and rings.
- Try to remove objects close to the victim that could cause injury, such as sharp objects.
- Take the patient, after the crisis, to the doctor so that he can assess the severity of the seizure and look for the causes of the problem. Depending on the case, it is necessary to
- use of medication to prevent further attacks.
Seizure Prevention: In many cases, a seizure cannot be prevented. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can give you the best chance of reducing your risk. This includes sleeping well, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.