FIRST AID FOR EPILEPSY....WHAT DO YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW THAT.....

FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR THE STAGES OF EPILEPSY GRAND MAL

THERE ARE FIVE STAGES AND THESE ARE;

1.       THE AURA OR STAGE OF WARNING

2.       TONIC PHASE

3.       CLONIC PHASE

4.       COMA

5.       FINAL STAGE

THE AURA OR WARNING STAGE

This proceeds loss of consciousness and lasts only a few seconds. It may vary in character but commonly the person has an indescribable feeling in the stomach which arises to the throat. Or the person may have a particular taste in the mouth or have a sensation of smell.

ü  Here because it happens briefly there are no particular first aid tips.

TONIC PHASE

This begins with sudden loss of consciousness. The person falls on the ground making no attempt to save himself and may injure himself in falling. The muscles become rigid with the hands and teeth clenched. Breathing becomes obstructed by the tonic contraction of the respiratory muscles. The last few inspirations, being stridulous, give rise to the epileptic cry the face become cyanosed and the veins become engorged. This lasts for about thirty seconds.

FIRST AID TREATMENT

ü  If necessary remove the patient to safer surroundings or push all objects away from the victim.

ü  Try to lay the patient flat on his or her back.

ü  Undo tight clothing around his or her neck, chest and waist.

ü  Clear away any furniture or equipment which may come in contact with the patient during convulsive stage.

ü  Do not put anything into the mouth.      

CLONIC PHASE

In this stage the rigid muscles relax and then contract again rapidly. So that the whole body convulsed with clonic twitching and jerkings.the tongue may be badly bitten, and the patient begins to foam at the mouth. There may be incontinence of urine and feces. Gradually the convulsive twitching become less violent and ceases. This stage lasts approximately for one minute but seem longer for the observer.

 FIRST AID TREATMENT

ü  When the twitching begins do not try to restrain the patient, but guide the movements as  much as possible to prevent injury.

ü  Try to control bystanders.

ü  Try to support and protect victim head

                       COMA

                       When the twitching has stopped the patient passes into coma which may approximately lasts for half an hour. During this period the muscles relax and the colour of the face returns to normal. The breathings is stertorous for a time and gradually becomes quiet and normal.

FIRST AID TREATMENT

ü  Roll them on the side into the recovery position.

ü  Wipe away any spit and if their breathing is difficult check their mouths to see that there nothing their airway.

ü  Make them as comfortable as possible and allow consciousness to fully return.

ü  If patient is an adult and this is the first time seizure, medical aid should obtained.

FINAL PHASE

When the patient recovers consciousness there may be a state of mental confusion accompanied by vomiting and headache.

FIRST AID TREATMENT

ü  Try to minimize embarrassment if the person has soiled or wet himself/herself deal with it privately as possible.

ü  Stay with the victim and give reassurance, until the victim is mentally sound or back to his senses.

ü  If victim is tired have him/her relaxes or sleeps.