Experiencing a seizure can be frightening, for you and your loved ones. Here are steps to take to stay safe, and how to make life with seizures more manageable.
Living with seizures can be scary, both for the person experiencing them and for caregivers. Luckily, there are tried-and-true ways to stay safe during seizures and to make them more manageable — and less intimidating.
If you experience seizures, it’s important to explain your type of seizure to the people most likely to be around you, so that they know what to expect. Tonic-clonic seizures cause you to lose consciousness and fall to the ground. A person with focal aware seizures (previously known as simple partial seizures) may stay mentally aware but freeze or shake in one part of their body.
“One of the best things you can do is talk to family, friends and colleagues about what kind of seizure care and comfort works best for you,” said Dr. Angela Crudele, a neurologist with Vanderbilt Neurology. “By educating them about your needs, you’re actually caring for yourself in one of the most effective ways possible.”
Instructions for caregivers
Seizures typically last about three minutes, but they can seem to go on longer. “Caregivers should start a timer,” Crudele said. “Inform them about what is normal for you so they will know not to call 911 unless it is truly necessary.” Examples of emergencies include seizures that last more than five minutes, multiple seizures in a row, or injuries during the seizure (such as hitting your head, or being underwater).
People around you should not:
- Attempt to stop the seizure.
- Restrain you.
- Place anything in your mouth.
- Splash water on your face.
- Try to give you food or water until you are fully recovered.
Instead, they should focus on your safety during the seizure and your comfort as you come out of the seizure, especially if you typically experience some achiness, tiredness or confusion. You may need:
- Someone to stay with you until it’s over.
- The area cleared of sharp or dangerous objects.
- To be positioned on your side.
- A soft, flat object placed under your head.
- Quiet talking or gentle touch until the seizure is over.
- Time to sleep or rest afterward to fully recover.
“You might have a seizure while you are away from trusted caregivers,” Crudele said. “Consider wearing a medical bracelet with a few simple instructions, especially if you lose consciousness during seizures.”
Living with seizures
Seizures shouldn’t prevent you from leading a vibrant life.
“Staying healthy and learning about your individual experience with seizures can help you manage their impact,” Crudele said. “Seizures may influence aspects of your life, but they don’t have to be the thing that defines you.”
In order to manage seizures, Crudele recommends the following to her patients:
- Get regular, moderate exercise. Walking and stationary biking are great options. If your seizures are under control, swimming can be great too. Never swim alone, however.
- Manage stress. Too much stress can trigger seizures. Reflect on which aspects of your life cause the most stress and consider changing things that are under your control. Increase your ability to cope by learning relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. And be sure to make time for hobbies and people you enjoy.
- Avoid brain-altering substances. Alcohol, illegal drugs and many chemicals can cause seizures.
- Notice your relationship with seizures. If you listen to your body, over time you will likely notice patterns. You may notice triggers like flickering lights or screens, and sensations (smells, sounds, visual changes) that occur right before your seizures. If you are tired or fighting an infection, seizures are more likely. Make sure to get plenty of rest and take care of your health.
Need help for seizures?
The Neurology team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center offers advanced care to treat brain and nervous system disorders. These types of conditions can cause a great deal of anxiety and fear — especially if you’re experiencing seizures or other symptoms and haven’t been able to find out what’s causing them. Our team will do what it takes to reach a diagnosis so that you’ll know what’s going on. Then we’ll work with you to manage it.
