Partial Seizures: Know What to Do
As seizures may happen at any time, it helps to be prepared. This is true even if medicine usually keeps your seizures under control. Consider telling those you live and work with about your health condition and what to do so that they may be more prepared to help you if you have a seizure when you are with them.
Steps for your protection
Most partial seizures last from a few seconds to a few minutes. During that time, those around you should help keep you safe. For those witnessing the seizure, see below for how to help:
What to do
Seek medical attention right away if you:
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Are hurt during the seizure.
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Begin choking.
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Have a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes.
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Have multiple seizures in a row.
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Do not fully regain consciousness after the seizure is over.
If your family and/or friends are present, they should do the following:
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Move any hard or sharp objects away from you.
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Turn you on your side if you seem unconscious.
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Talk to you afterward to relieve your confusion.
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Note how long the seizure lasted. Note what you were doing before, during, and after the seizure.
What NOT to do
It is important that they do not do the following:
Prepare family, friends, and coworkers
It may seem awkward to talk to others about seizures. Telling family, friends and coworkers about your seizures can help them react to a seizure in a way that may help you. Describe to them what happens before; during and after you have a seizure. Explain what they should and should not do.
You may be safer if people at your workplace are prepared to respond to a seizure. If you are concerned about losing your job, know your rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides work-related protections for people with epilepsy.