Seizures Everything you need to know for managing a student with Seizures and First Aid

What is a Seizure? A condition of disturbed brain activity that causes changes in a person’s attention or behavior. Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person has repeated seizures over a period of time Seizures are a disorder of brain function due to a medical condition, injury to the brain or cause may be unknown. Seldom associated with brain damage.

Epilepsy can impact learning and behavior: Seizure Facts What you should know: Seizures are a true medical problem Most seizures are NOT medical emergencies Students are often NOT aware they are having a seizure and will not remember what happened Epilepsy is NOT contagious Epilepsy is NOT a form of mental illness Students vary rarely die or are brain damaged during a seizure A student can NOT swallow his/her tongue during a seizure You should NEVER put anything in the mouth of someone having a seizure Epilepsy can impact learning and behavior: Seizures may cause short-term memory problems After a seizure, coursework may need to be retaught Seizure activity, without obvious physical symptoms, can still affect learning Medications may cause drowsiness, inattention, concentration difficulties and behavioral changes Student with epilepsy may suffer from low self- esteem School difficulties are not always related to a student’s seizures

Seizure Symptoms Seizures vary from person to person May vary from simple staring spells to violent shaking and loss of alertness Type of seizure depends on the part of the brain affected Some people may have an Aura prior to a seizure. An Aura may be tingling, dizziness, emotional changes, or changes in vision, taste and smell

Types of Seizures Absent (Petit Mal): May appear as a lack of alertness, a staring spell, or blanks out. Last <15 seconds. Can occur many times a day. These are often mistaken for behavioral issues or poor attention. May interfere with school/learning. Partial (focal): No loss of consciousness. There may be muscle contraction that affects a side of the body or abnormal head movements. There may be changes in mood, behavior, or vision. Staring spells may also occur Generalized (Grand Mal): This will involve the whole body. There will be muscle rigidity, followed by muscle contraction and loss of consciousness. There may be loss of bowel and bladder. May affect breathing. Very high potential for injury!

First Aid for Seizures Remain calm! (Easy to say, hard to do) A seizure can not be stopped once it has started Try to get student to lying down position. Side lying is ideal to protect airway. This position prevents the tongue from blocking the airway and helps reduce chance of choking on vomit or secretions. Protect from injury-especially their head Do NOT put any object in student’s mouth! Loosen any tight fitting clothing, especially around the neck Observe and document length of seizure and activity noted Stay with student! Send other students away if possible to protect privacy Support student’s airway and initiate rescue breathing/CPR if needed Offer comfort and reassurance to student as he/she awakens from seizure activity Notify Parents/Guardian CALL 911 if: seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, no history of seizures, multiple seizures occur, of if pregnant, injured or diabetic

How to give Diastat 1. Position Student on side. 2. Gather supplies, Remove cap and lubricate syringe tip. 3. Bend leg forward and separate buttocks to expose rectum. 4. Slowly count to 3 while pushing plunger until it stops. 5. Count to 3 before removing syringe. 6. Hold buttocks together counting to 3 again. 7. Leave person on side, continue to monitor.

Emergency Diastat Administration Diastat is absorbed rapidly & may be ordered by a physician for some students with Seizures. Diastat is a rectal form of a muscle relaxant known as valium. Diastat is given for Seizures lasting longer than 3 minutes OR as ordered by the physician Whenever Diastat is given, 911 is to be called. Notify Parent/Guardian Allow for as much privacy for the student as possible. Note time Diastat is given for EMS. Keep student lying on side & covered. Observe and monitor breathing after administration.

Congratulations, you have almost completed your training for Seizure disorder. Please access the following link. Seizures Training Confirmation