Living With Seizures: Life-Saving Tips to Know

Living with seizures can be a frightening experience, never knowing if or when an attack will strike. Watching someone have a seizure can be equally frightening, especially if you don’t know what to do to help the person get through it.

That’s why at Advanced Neurology Specialists in Naples, Florida, board-certified neurologist and epilepsy specialist Dr. Cory Lamar and our expert staff focus on educating patients and caregivers about the nature of seizures and their primary cause — epilepsy. Here, the team provides life-saving tips that help you or your loved one get through life with seizures.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is very common. In fact, it’s the No. 4 neurological disorder in the world. Surges of uncoordinated electrical activity within the brain cause a seizure, which disrupts normal cell and nerve communication and can lead to involuntary changes in movement, sensation, behavior, and/or awareness.

You may be diagnosed with epilepsy if you have two seizures that have no known cause or a single seizure with no known cause that carries a high risk of more.

Focal (partial) and generalized seizures are the most common types. Most seizures — about  60% — are the focal variety. These occur when abnormal electrical activity occurs in a single area of your brain.

In generalized seizures, on the other hand, the abnormal electrical activity occurs throughout the brain. In both cases, the episodes usually last no more than a few minutes.

People can be affected by seizures in different ways. That depends on what part or parts of the brain is or are involved.

Seizures can occur when you're awake or asleep. Some cause the body to jerk and shake (termed a "fit"), while others cause unusual sensations, strong emotions, or a loss of awareness. Sometimes, they’re triggered by something, like stress or feeling tired.

Seizures: life-saving tips

Two types of people live with seizures: Those who experience them and those care for someone who experiences them.

If you experience seizures

If you’re the one with epilepsy, Dr. Lamar will probably prescribe anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). They can be very effective in reducing the frequency of — or even stopping — seizures.

Don’t quit taking your medication, or even skip a dose, without consulting with Dr. Lamar, as this could trigger a seizure. Tell him if you’re experiencing unpleasant side effects so he can work to reduce them. You might need to try several AEDs before finding one that works for you and doesn’t cause side effects.

Dr. Lamar may tell you to stop taking medication if your seizures have been under control for a fair bit of time, but you need to do it gradually and under his supervision.

It’s also important to identify any triggers that may set off the seizures. Triggers can include lack of sleep and stress. Keeping a seizure diary – including when you have seizures and what you were doing right before – may help you work out if you have any triggers to avoid.

Engage in annual reviews of your status and treatment with Dr. Lamar. If your epilepsy isn’t controlled well, see him more often. 

If you caring for someone who has seizures

The more you learn about epilepsy and what to do during a seizure, the better you’ll be able to help your loved one get through it unharmed.

During a seizure, the person seizing often isn’t aware of their surroundings and can’t avoid harm if it presents itself. For this reason, they can be dangerous.

Mild seizures, such as brief periods of staring into space or a shaking of the arms or legs, aren't emergencies, but you should still guide the person away from any potential threats.

You're most likely to need seizure first aid for a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, but you can adjust for other types, as needed.

• Keep other people away
• Keep hard or sharp objects away
• Don't try to force the person to stop moving
• Place them on their side to help keep their airway clear
• Time the length of the seizure to tell the doctor
• Don't put anything in their mouth, including your fingers; they could damage their teeth or bite you

Call 911 if the person has trouble breathing or waking after the seizure or if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any form of seizure, it’s important to seek out medical attention. Advanced Neurology Specialists can help. Call our office at 239-667-5878 to set up a consultation with Dr. Lamar, or book online with us today.