I. Epileptic seizures and convulsions
Epilepsy is also called [epilepsy]. In the eyes of many friends, eyes turn white, foaming at the mouth and then fall unconscious is epilepsy. Convulsive seizures are indeed one of the characteristics of epilepsy, but it does not mean that all convulsive seizures are epilepsy. Children’s common [febrile convulsion] and young women’s common [hysteria] may have convulsive seizures.
Epilepsy is caused by abnormal discharge of brain neurons, which can be divided into two categories: generalized seizure and partial seizure. Under each category, it can be subdivided into many different types, such as generalized primary grand seizure, which is commonly seen in people’s eyes turning white and limbs twitching. This article mainly discusses this type.
Second, the first aid points of epileptic seizures
First of all, please remember the most important principle: once epilepsy occurs, it cannot be stopped. What you can do is to minimize the damage that the patient will suffer during the seizure.
In reducing injuries, the most important thing is to keep the respiratory tract unobstructed-respiratory tract obstruction is most likely to be fatal, and vomit often causes respiratory tract obstruction during epileptic seizures.
The following are the most important first aid measures for epileptic seizures:
1. Adjust the patient to the side position
This is helpful for the discharge of secretions in respiratory tract and avoids choking or causing aspiration pneumonia. If the body posture cannot be adjusted, please deflect the patient’s head to both sides and wipe off secretions in time.
2. Remove sharp objects such as glasses from patients
Please remove your dentures if possible. Loosen the patient’s tie and untie or take off tight clothes so that the patient can breathe smoothly.
3. Protect patients from falls or bumps
But do not force the patient to press, so as not to cause fracture; Calmly wait for the attack to stop, record the attack time and stop time; Please call the emergency number if necessary.
Three, epilepsy first aid common misunderstanding
Here we focus on two common mistakes:
1. Pinch people hard when epilepsy occurs.
Many people may have seen this in movies or TV plays, However, as previously mentioned, once epilepsy breaks out, it cannot be stopped until neurons stop discharging abnormally, so no method can stop the patient’s convulsions. Not only can pinching people not stop convulsions, but it may also bring additional injuries, such as crushing injuries. In fact, there is no “pinching people” method in the epilepsy first aid guidelines of various countries (including China).
Step 2: Put something in your mouth when you have epilepsy
I checked the first aid guidelines for epilepsy in China and the United States. On the left is the professional version of the on-site first aid guide, which is basically the same as the first aid methods above the seventh edition of emergency medicine. On the right is [First Aid by American Red Cross].
On the issue of whether tongue bites need to be prevented during epilepsy, the two approaches are completely different. China believes that towels need to be inserted immediately to prevent bites. The U.S. Side thinks it is not necessary, because the strong masseter muscle closure during epileptic seizures may cause the patient to bite off the inserted things, and the broken things are easy to cause asphyxia, thus causing very serious consequences.
Based on the first aid guidelines of many countries, we suggest that if there is no professional first aid personnel present, please do not put anything into the patient’s mouth. Compared with possible tongue bites, the consequences of asphyxia are much more serious.
Four, as appropriate, the patient to the hospital
Most epileptic seizures do not need to be sent to a hospital unless the following situations are encountered:
1. The attack time is too long (more than 10 minutes);
2. Frequent attacks in a short period of time (more than 3 attacks within 30 minutes);
3. Two consecutive attacks and no recovery of consciousness in the middle;
4. When breathing is difficult or injured.
If you can’t judge, please contact the hospital and let the doctor judge whether you need to be sent to the hospital for treatment.
These are some first aid measures for epilepsy. Most people may seldom have epileptic seizures, but I hope everyone can make simple and reasonable first aid measures when encountering this kind of situation.
Author: Zhuang Shili and