Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain and can cause seizures. It is more common than many people realise, but still widely misunderstood.
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This page is here to help explain epilepsy in a simple, clear way and support better understanding.
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes recurring seizures.
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A seizure happens when there is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, temporarily affecting how a person feels, moves, or behaves.
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Seizures are divided into groups depending on where they start in the brain and whether or not the persons awareness if affected and other symptoms such as movement.
First Aid for seizures
At Purpledayss we believe that spreading awareness is just as powerful as educating those. Misunderstanding epilepsy is one of the biggest challenges people face. Education and awareness help reduce stigma, improve safety, and create more inclusive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities.
What to do if someone is having a Seizure
When someone has a seizure knowing what to do can make all the difference, whether you know the person or not, your actions could help save someone's life.
1. Stay calm
Do not leave the person stay calm and help reassure others around you.
2. Time the seizure
This is very important because if the seizure lasts more then 5 minutes you must call emergency services.
3. Protect their head
Try and keep them safe, move dangerous things that might be surrounding them and if you can try and cushion there head with a pillow or a jumper .
4. Do not restain them
This is also very important let the seizure happen do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth this could cause more harm to them.
5. Do NOT put anything in their mouth
Do not place anything in their mouth, If possible loosen any tight clothes or jewellery from around their neck to help them breath. if the person is vomiting or foaming out the foam, just turn their head to the side.
6. Turn them on their side when seizure ends
Did you know it is physically impossible to swallow your tongue when having a seizure!!!
Make sure after the seizure has finished you place them in the recovery position on their side, this will also help clear their airway.
7. Stay with them
Stay with them until recovered, they might be a bit confused so keep talking to them and reassuring them everything fine and explain calmly to them what happened.
Call Emergency services if:
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The seizure lasts more then 5 minutes
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They go into another seizure straight after
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They are injured, pregnant or diabetic
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They have trouble breathing or don't wake up
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If its their first seizure
What to do when someone is having a Focal seizure?
If Someone is having a focal seizure they may not be aware of their surroundings or what they are doing. This then can come with unusual movements, behaviour and sounds. It’s important that you don’t hold the person down or move them unless they are in danger. Someone having a focal seizure may, or may not, be aware of what is happening. Try to avoid doing anything that might frighten them, like sudden movements, shaking them or shouting at them. Even if they are aware, they could feel confused and unsteady for a while after the seizure. If the person has a history of tonic clonic seizures then this focal seizure could be the start of them going into a tonic clonic seizure so try and make sure the person is safe if anything was to escalate.
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The information on this page is for general educational and awareness purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am not a medical professional, and this content should not be used to diagnose or treat epilepsy. If you have concerns about epilepsy, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.