A seizure is an unexpected, abnormal increase of electrical activity in one or more parts of the brain due to complex chemical changes within the brain cells.

This electrochemical action creates a violation towards the balance between cells and in turn causes stimulation and repression, creating an electrical wave and causes a seizure.

Seizures can be minor, ranging from a simple loss of consciousness lasting up to a few seconds, to tingling or small muscle contractions and large seizures with clonic-seizures (rhythmical jerking), with loss of consciousness, plus sudden and unexpected falls with the risk of serious injury.

So crises can be considered a symptom. It is therefore essential to make an early diagnosis of the causes of those crises in order to take an early action with the administration of drugs.

At the same time, since there is even a crisis in someone's history, measures must be taken for their safety.

The following precautions can be taken at home to prevent possible injury or death.

These precautions highly depend on the activity being performed. 

Kitchen 

A person with epilepsy should avoid being alone in the kitchen and cooking on his own as much as possible. It is good to be accompanied by someone else.

The responsibility for this precaution lies with the individual and the other members of the family.

The use of large and sharp knives should be avoided

It is desirable for a person with epilepsy to avoid to avoid carrying and transferring hot liquids or food themselves.

Using a gas stove is considered extremely dangerous, even with an electrical stove. It is better to use a microwave oven, or grill that is safer.  

Bathroom

In no way should a bathtub be used, but only a shower, this is to avoid drowning in case of a crisis.

Bathing is always done with the supervision and help of a close person either in the bathroom or nearby, so that they can be ready to act instantly if assisting intervention is required.  

There should be non-slip-up strips or a rubber mat all over the bathroom floor.

Avoid using electrical appliances in the bathroom, such as a hair dryer or hair straightener.

From the beginning, changes must be made to the bathroom door, which it must open only outwards, so that in the event of a fall or an episode, the patient's body does not obstruct access to the room and therefore, assistance. 

Bedroom

Percussions are taken accordingly: 

There should be no furniture, sharp or hard objects around the bed.

If the person with crises does not sleep with another person in the same room, the door always remains open in case of a crisis to be perceived by others immediately.

There should be no electrical appliances near the bed.

An alarming machine and alarm screen can be used so that others in the house can alarmed in case of a crisis during sleep.  

General Advice for the house

The house should be tidy and there should be no objects lying around everywhere because they can increase the possibility of falling.

Where there are corners or sharpness on furniture or on other fixed objects, we cover them with cloth or other material.

Replace the glass on the windows or intermediate doors with plastic and avoid having glass furniture or a dowel.

Corridors must be free of objects, furniture, toys or machinery...

With the help of an electrician, we provide all our electrical appliances with safety switches that turn off automatically.

We avoid the use of electric heaters that can, when overturned, cause a fire...

The carpets must be well fixed to the ground. 

Extra Percussions

Few things that can cause a crisis or seizure are as follows:

·        The use of alcohol

·        Excessive use of caffeine or other stimulants

·        Sleep deprivation

·        Excessive sun exposure

·        Exhaustion

·        Shortness of breath during running or exercise

·        Improper medication

·        Meal intake deprivation

·        Watching fast-changing scenes or colours on film

·        Combination of one or more of the above-mentioned factors.

Regarding women, menstruation is also one of the factors that make them vulnerable and in combination with other factors increases the possibility of a seizure. 

Driving

According to the law, in order to be able to drive, a person must be free from seizures for at least two years and have a non-pathological encephalogram (EEG) result...

We are not allowed to drive when we often have crises. There is a risk of seizures while driving. 

Outdoor swimming

A person with a history of seizures should not swim alone or swim in remote areas where there can be no timely help.

Measures should always be taken such as carrying a life buoy when in the water or using marine floating devices.

If the seizures are severe and there is danger at work or elsewhere, it is advisable to use a protective helmet.

Heights or dangerous places for walking should be avoided.

Avoid dangerous games - cycling, snowboarding, skiing, skating, or horseback riding and more... 

Precautions for family and carers

It is highly suggested that people who have a family member, roommate, friend or co-worker at home or at work who has seizures should be fully aware of their condition and know a few things to deal with a seizure if it occurs in their presence.

We place the person who experiences an epileptic seizure on the floor, on his left side and we put something soft and small, like a pillow, under his neck.

We untie or remove any clothes that are around the neck or anything that may obstruct breathing.

We make sure that the person can breathe easily by checking their airways for any obstructions.

If there are obstacles, (food, artificial jaws or other) we remove them but we do not put any pressure or strength on their mouth and we do not try to keep their jaw open wide. 

We help the person to recover, we talk in a quiet, comforting way and we explain to him what happened and ask them if they want us to ask for help.

We help him move and if he is still feeling dizzy, we can support them in case there is a risk of falling.  

WHEN DO WE CALL AN AMBULANCE AND ASK FOR HELP (112)

If the person who suffered the crisis, we know that this is a first experience for them

If the crisis is severe or lasts more than 3-5 minutes

If the person does not fully regain consciousness after the end of the crisis

If the person injured themselves during the crisis

If the person having the crisis also has diabetes, or any other condition or in case of pregnancies

If the person has recurring seizures that do not stop.

If a seizure or crisis takes place while a person is in water.

If the person still has difficulty breathing after the crisis.

If he/she does not feel well psychologically – or they experience a feeling of fear or panic

Finally, if we do not feel well after the intense experience we had watching someone have an epileptic seizure.