Hello!

Some of you may or may not know that I am an Epileptic! I have been having seizures fairly regularly since I was 12 and because it's SUPER hot and the weather keeps changing and with Covid & other illnesses being spread that can cause overheating of the brain, the body

or just high temperatures as a general - I'm going to make inform you on Seizure Care, cos it is most likely you are going to need to know this information, especially this year, when everyone is getting heat stroke, sun stroke and ill.

First; Seizures, what causes them?

In very basic terms, it's where something has triggered the Brain to short circuit and stop communicating with the body properly and causes the body to go into a spasm. Obviously, seizures are MUCH more complicated than that, but that's as

basic as I can explain it. Just imagine the brain as a computer and the computer has overheated and now it temporarily isn't working.

Anything can trigger a seizure. Most Epileptics are triggered by flashing lights or images. I'm triggered by thermal sensitivity, I.e. if I get too hot, I'll have a seizure. Other Epileptics can be, but rarely are, triggered by the cold, allergies, sunlight, certain weathers,

certain chemicals like chlorine, hayfever, stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, hyperventilation and so on and so forth - anything that can effect the brain or body that'll increase its chances to not get enough oxygen or overheat.

Secondly; who can have a Seizure?

Anyone. Literally anyone. Although Epileptics are more likely to have seizures, as that IS apart of their disability, other people who are likely to, (but not limited to), have a seizure are:
-Diabetics.
-People who haven't eaten or drank enough

-People with too high or low blood sugar.
-Autistics (don't ask me why, but Epilepsy/Casual Seizures are symptoms of Autism throughout the entire Spectrum, I don't understand it myself, but there you go; for whatever reason, Autistic People are more likely to have Seizures,

it's weird???).
-People with Heat Stroke, Sun Stroke, a Cold, a Flu, a Temperature (above 38 Degrees), Stomach Flu, Covid-19 - basically, anyone with any illness.
-Chronically Ill People.
-People who don't sleep enough.
-Alcohol Drinkers.
-People on Cold Turkey.

-People who have ODed.
-Smokers.
-People who take Drugs.
-Substance Addicts.

Thirdly; what does a Seizure look like?

Seizures come in a WIDE variety.

Here is all the different types explained properly and medically by the NHS:

Importantly; how to care for someone whose having a Seizure?

So, if you're with someone whose having a Seizure, THE most important thing to do is to make sure they are SAFE and out of any HARM. Make sure they can not harm themselves or others.

If in a room, move chairs, tables and other furniture out of the way. Keep other people away if possible. Try and put a pillow underneath their head if you can. If wearing around their neck, try and safely remove it, if they're wearing a buttoned shirt, try and undo the top

button - keep the person cool and unrestricted. Take off shoes, socks, coats, jackets - anything that's making/keeping them hot.

DO NOT hold them down. DO NOT put anything in their mouth or pull out their tongue. If the person is dribbling or choking on their own saliva, help them out! Clean them up, even if you have to use your own sleeve.

If they fall to the ground, get them into the Respiratory Position which looks like this:

The next thing you need to do is CHECK THE TIME! If they're Unconscious and/or NOT Responding, call Emergency Services after 3-5 Minutes. If Conscious and/or Responding, call Emergency

Services after 5-10 Minutes.

If it's their first ever Seizure, call Emergency Services IMMEDIATELY!

No matter what, PLEASE talk to the person. Whether they're Conscious or not, talk to them, tell them they are safe, tell them that you are there and in their care, tell them that help is on it's way. Tell them they are ok, tell them to breathe. Please. Seizures are SCARY.

People can go into comas or die from seizures. Look after the person whose having a seizure.

DON'T leave that person. Stay with them until they are out, and then WAIT. Many people relapse and have clusters of seizures, I.e you may have a 10 minute seizure, then be out of it for a couple of minutes and then have two or three seizures that last 30 seconds or so,

I once had 13 seizures in less than an hour; where my main seizure was 30 minutes and the rest were only a few minutes or seconds each.

After a Seizure, the person may have (what I call) an "aftermath" seizure where just one body part (like a arm or a leg) is still going for a few minutes, this is normal and ok, the person needs to cool down and rest. If it persists or gets worse, please call Emergency Services.

Sometimes speech is delayed after a seizure, sounding like a stutter, again, this is ok, it's just the brain trying to recalibrate again. If it doesn't get any better after a couple of days, call Emergency Services.

Recovery:

If you end up getting a Paramedic or an Ambulance; listen to the Paramedics and they will take it from there.

If you end up in A&E; listen to the Nurses, the Doctors and Specialists, they know what they're doing, they will take it from there, you may have to stay in for the night, you may not, you may even be given medication, it all depends on the situation.

If you continue to have seizures, see your GP.

After a seizure, the person will be feeling VERY weak, nauseous and fatigued, they may not be able to walk, talk, do basic motor exercises or have much hand-to-eye co-ordination like usual, this is ok.

Let them rest. They may ask for a drink of water, but they may not have the strength to hold the bottle/glass/cup, be expected to help them and support them with basic and easy tasks, I.e. holding their cups whilst they drink, helping them balance whilst they walk,

reading/writing things for them, helping them eat/cutting up food, getting dressed/undressed, getting bathed/washed/toileted when at home.

Don't force the person to "get up and go" because you're impatient, this could trigger another seizure.

The person whose had a seizure may feel unwell and fatigued for up to 2 weeks, and may need to even take time off work or school, remember a 15 minute seizure is equivalent to running half a marathon. A person whose had a seizure may feel VERY thirsty and hungry for the next few

days and at the same time, they may even have no appetite at all, look after them as if they're a hospital patient, keep checking up on them, make sure they get plenty of sleep.

Things to look out for during a seizure:
-Vomiting.
-Choking.
-Suffocating.
-Drowning.
-Overheating.

Make sure that none of this happens, if it does - get help IMMEDIATELY; either a First Aider or a Paramedic.

Things to make sure after a seizure:
-Get home safely.
-Have someone else at home with them to keep an eye on them for at least few days.
-Plenty of rest.
-Plenty of sleep.
-Take some time off work.

Any questions? Just ask. I hope this helps some people!