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DoDEA School Health Services Manual 2942.0 Volume 1 Revised: 2016 DRAFT
I-16
Seizure, What School Personnel Need to Know
Information obtained from the Epilepsy Foundation
Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They happen because of sudden,
abnormal electrical activity in the brain. When people think of seizures, they often
think of convulsions in which a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. Not
all seizures cause convulsions. There are many types of seizures and some have mild
symptoms. Seizures fall into two main groups. Focal seizures, also called partial
seizures, happen in just one part of the brain. Generalized seizures are a result of
abnormal activity on both sides of the brain.
Most seizures last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and do not cause lasting
harm. However, it is a medical emergency if seizures last longer than 5 minutes or if a
person has many seizures and does not wake up between them. Seizures can have
many causes, including medicines, high fevers, head injuries and certain diseases.
People who have recurring seizures due to a brain disorder have
epilepsy.Signs of possible seizure activity:
Dropping head to one side
Falling down
Arching head toward back
Eyes rolling up/back in head
Random jerking movements of muscles-hands/arms/feet/legs
Reduced level of consciousness
Treatment:
•
Assist the person to a comfortable position.
•
Keep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.
•
Make a mental note of the time the seizure began.
•
Clear the area around the person of anything hard or sharp objects.
•
Protect the person from accidental injury by putting something flat and soft, like a
folded jacket under the head.
•
Loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult.
•
Turn him or her gently onto one side. This will help keep the airway clear.
•
Do not try to force the mouth open with any hard implement or with fingers.
It is
NOT true that a person having a seizure can swallow their tongue.
Efforts
to hold the tongue down can injure teeth or jaw.
•
Don't attempt CPR except in the unlikely event that a person does not start
breathing again after the seizure has stopped.
•
Stay with the person until the seizure ends naturally.
•
Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns.
•
Have someone notify the school nurse or main office that assistance is
needed.