Epileptic Attacks: Separating Facts from the Myths

Suppose you are walking on the busy streets of Nairobi or just seated in a banking hall or a restaurant and suddenly someone starts having a seizure. What do you do?

Most people will stare helplessly at the person and hope someone else steps up. However, there are simple things that anyone can do to assist the person and prevent grievous harm before a qualified person /medical help arrives.

Do’s

1. Don’t panic. If the person is standing, assist them to lie down safely. If the person is seated, they can remain seated if secure or safely strapped in. If not, and they are sliding from the seat, support them until they are lying comfortably on the ground. This prevents them from hitting the head.
2. Remove any nearby objects that may harm the person or move the person away from danger such as roads and fires.
3. Support the head or place something soft beneath the head.
4. Loosen any tight clothing at the neck.
5. When the jerking stops, place them in the recovery position (lying on their side).
6. Stay with them until they are recovered and fully oriented and reassure them.
7. Seek medical help if the seizure persists more than 5 minutes or the person is unconscious for more than ten minutes.

As a bystander, you can also offer support by protecting the person’s belongings until they are fully recovered. You can also provide a ‘leso’ in case the person loses control of their bowel movements which is common during a seizure. If it’s the first seizure for the person, direct /take them to the nearest medical facility for further management.

Don’ts

1. Do not restrain them when they’re jerking.
2. Don’t put anything in the mouth.
3. Do not give foods or drinks until the person is fully recovered.
4. Don’t crowd around the person.

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Common myths associated with epilepsy

1. Epilepsy is contagious.
2. You need to put a spoon in the mouth to avoid biting the tongue.

Facts

1. You cannot get epilepsy from any form of contact with an epileptic person.
2. Putting anything in the mouth including a spoon does not prevent the person from biting the tongue and may cause more harm.

These are some of the small things we can do to support a person having a seizure near you.

For more information, Youth on the Move, Kenya provides training on epilepsy. For more first aid lessons, contact local providers such as St Johns Ambulance.

P. Karanja.