Seizures, causes of and basic care for

 

At the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) we find:

About 1 out of 10 people may have a seizure during his or her lifetime

 

causes of seizures

most common is epilepsy, especially if medicine is not taken in proper dosage and on time

lack of oxygen

stroke

brain tumor / concussion / increasing intracranial pressure from swelling or internal bleeding in the brain

poisoning

diabetic emergency / low blood sugar

heat stroke

failure to use prescribed anti-seizure medications (often the biggest cause of seizures)

trauma

drug or alcohol use or withdrawl

measles, mumps and other childhood diseases

eclampsia (pregnancy complication)

child with a high fever

child with aspirin poisoning

infection

hit by lightning

high altitude can cause brain swelling

continuing stress from bereavement, divorce, abuse, money/family worries, critical incident stress

From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
simple list

From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
CDC first aid for seizures

From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
list

3 million adults have active epilepsy

 

From EMS World
“Sentinel seizures occur when an individual experiences a fatal arrhythmia, the brain loses oxygen supply, and thus seizure activity occurs.
The true problem is Sudden Cardiac Arrest, but the seizure is often seen as the first symptom.
Assume the possibility of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
when an otherwise-healthy young athlete collapses and exhibits seizure activity.”

 

From a professional tour group in Yellowstone National Park:

“If you have a seizure condition that is well managed, your participation in (name of tour group) activities should not be affected. Nonetheless, you should be aware of these potential triggers, which you could experience in Yellowstone, and take precautions:

Low levels of oxygen in the blood
Dehydration
Excessive stress (emotional or physical)
Lack of sleep; fatigue
Hyperventilation and associated blood pH changes
Hypoglycemia, especially in a diabetic
Use of alcohol
Flashing or strobe lights (known as photosensitive epilepsy. If a patient is photosensitive, a seizure also can be induced by sunlight reflecting off wet surfaces, such as moving water or moving rapidly past flickering sunlight.)
Missing a dose of anti-seizure medication (typically the most common trigger)”

and see: How To Call 911.

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(Note to on-line users not in my classes: this is a study sheet. It is not complete instruction in first aid or the topic named in the webpage title.)

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