Seizures (convulsions or fits)

Question 1

are involuntary muscle contractions due to
disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain
usually result in loss/impairment of consciousness.

Answer 1

Seizures

Question 2

The most common cause is epilepsy.

Answer 2

المسبب الاكبر للنوبات هي الصرع

Question 3

Other causes
include

Answer 3

high fever (febrile convulsions in children),
CNS infections, following head injury, associated with
pregnancy or diabetes or electrolytes imbalance

Meningitis

Question 4

Recognition features to seizures

Answer 4

Aura  Sudden loss of consciousness  Rigidity, arched back (tonic phase)  Periodic relaxation of muscles (clonic phase)  Difficult noisy breathing  Jerky movements
Saliva from the mouth can be blood stained if
bitten tongue or lips  Loss of bladder and bowel control  Post ictal exhaustion & confusion  Then relax, breathing becomes normal and regain
consciousness within a few minutes  May fall into a deep sleep.

Question 5

First aid to Seizures

Answer 5

Stay safe. Follow universal precautions, wear PPE.  Remain calm. Other bystanders will follow suit.  Remove potentially dangerous items, such as hot
drinks and sharp objects and move the person away
from danger e.g., fire  Loosen tight clothing around the neck as ties or collars.  Note time. From beginning to end of convulsions.
 If you see the casualty falling, try to ease the fall.  Put anything under his head like a pillow or rolled-
up jacket.  If possible, roll the victim to his side to drain
sputum or vomit out of his mouth.  Don’t put anything in victim’s mouth. (Seizure victims don’t swallow their tongues).  Don’t leave person alone even after seizure.

Question 6

Call for help if seizures (convulsions):  continued more than 5 minutes

Answer 6

 continued more than 5 minutes  happened in water  another seizure happens before victim regains
consciousness  victim is unconsciousness for more than 10 minutes  victim is pregnant  victim is diabetic  the victim is injured