Witnessing a loved one, especially a grandmother, have a seizure can be a frightening experience. The feeling of helplessness is common, but your calm and informed actions can make a significant difference in ensuring her safety. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to do when my grandma is having a seizure, from immediate first aid to post-seizure care and long-term planning.
The Three S's: Immediate Seizure First Aid
The Epilepsy Foundation promotes a simple and effective first aid protocol: Stay, Safe, Side. Memorizing these three words can help you act decisively in a high-stress situation.
1. Stay with the Person
Your presence is crucial. Never leave a person alone during a seizure. Your role is to remain calm, time the seizure from start to finish, and reassure them as they regain consciousness. Your calm demeanor can help reduce their fear and confusion afterward.
2. Keep Them Safe
Safety is the primary concern. The goal is to prevent injury from the surrounding environment.
- Clear the Area: Quickly move any hard, sharp, or dangerous objects away from your grandmother. This includes furniture, lamps, and other items she might strike.
- Guide, Don't Restrain: If she is standing or seated, gently guide her to the floor. Do not try to hold her down or stop her movements. Restraining someone during a seizure can cause serious injury, such as fractures or dislocations.
- Cushion the Head: Place something soft and flat, like a folded jacket or a small pillow, under her head to protect it from injury.
- Loosen Tight Clothing: If anything is tight around her neck, such as a scarf, tie, or necklace, gently loosen it to ensure her breathing is not restricted.
3. Turn Them Onto Their Side
As soon as it is safe to do so, gently roll your grandmother onto her side. This position, known as the recovery position, is vital for several reasons:
- It helps keep her airway open.
- It allows any saliva, vomit, or fluid to drain from her mouth, preventing her from choking or inhaling it into her lungs.
This simple action is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent a medical emergency from escalating.
What NOT to Do During a Seizure
Equally important as knowing what to do is knowing what actions to avoid. Common myths about seizure first aid can be dangerous.
- DO NOT put anything in their mouth: This is a dangerous myth. You cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure. Forcing an object or your fingers into her mouth can cause chipped teeth, a broken jaw, bitten fingers, or an obstructed airway.
- DO NOT restrain the person: As mentioned, attempting to hold down her arms or legs can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Let the seizure run its course.
- DO NOT offer food or water: Wait until she is fully awake, alert, and able to swallow normally before offering anything to eat or drink.
- DO NOT perform CPR: Seizures can sometimes cause breathing to seem irregular or stop momentarily. This is usually temporary. CPR is not necessary unless she does not start breathing again after the seizure has ended.
Seizure First Aid: Myths vs. Facts
To clarify common misconceptions, here is a comparison table:
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Put a spoon in their mouth to stop them from swallowing their tongue. | It's physically impossible to swallow your tongue. Putting objects in the mouth can cause severe injury. Always keep the mouth clear. |
| You should hold the person down to stop the convulsions. | Restraining someone can cause fractures or sprains. Allow the seizure to proceed without interference, focusing only on safety. |
| Seizures are always a medical emergency requiring an ambulance. | Most seizures are not emergencies and end on their own. Call 911 only under specific conditions (listed below). |
| People are aware of what is happening during a seizure. | The person is typically unconscious or has altered awareness. They will not remember the seizure itself. |
When to Call 911 for a Seizure
While most seizures are self-limiting and do not require emergency medical intervention, certain situations warrant an immediate call to 911. Be prepared to call for an ambulance if:
- The seizure lasts longer than five minutes.
- A second seizure starts soon after the first one ends.
- The person has difficulty breathing or appears to be choking after the seizure.
- The person is injured during the seizure (e.g., a serious fall).
- The seizure happens in water (like a bathtub or pool).
- The person has an underlying health condition like diabetes or heart disease, or is pregnant.
- This is the person's first-ever seizure.
Post-Seizure Care: The Post-Ictal Phase
The period immediately following a seizure is called the post-ictal phase. During this time, your grandmother may be disoriented, tired, confused, or have a headache. Patience and reassurance are key.
- Stay with Her: Continue to stay by her side as she recovers.
- Check for Injuries: Once the convulsions have stopped, check her for any injuries she may have sustained.
- Reassure Her Calmly: Speak in a soft, calm voice. Tell her she is safe and that you are with her.
- Allow Her to Rest: Seizures are physically exhausting. She will likely need to sleep or rest for some time afterward. Find a comfortable place for her to do so.
- Document the Seizure: Note the date, time, duration, and a description of her movements and symptoms. This information is invaluable for her doctor to help manage her condition.
Long-Term Management and Support
If seizures are a recurring issue for your grandmother, it's essential to work with her healthcare team to create a management plan.
- Seizure Action Plan: Work with her doctor to develop a formal Seizure Action Plan. This document outlines her specific seizure type, medication, first aid steps, and emergency contacts. Keep copies in visible places and share it with other family members and caregivers.
- Medication Management: Ensure she takes any prescribed anti-seizure medication exactly as directed. Missed doses are a common trigger for breakthrough seizures.
- Identify Triggers: Help her identify and avoid potential seizure triggers, which can include lack of sleep, stress, illness, or flashing lights (though this is less common).
- Home Safety: Make simple modifications to her home to reduce the risk of injury, such as padding sharp corners on furniture, using non-slip mats, and ensuring good lighting.
For more information and support, a great resource is the Epilepsy Foundation, which offers extensive resources for patients and caregivers.
Conclusion
Knowing what to do when my grandma is having a seizure transforms a moment of fear into an opportunity to provide effective, loving care. By remembering the principles of Stay, Safe, Side, avoiding dangerous myths, and knowing when to seek emergency help, you can confidently protect her well-being. Your preparedness is one of the most powerful tools you have as a caregiver.
