Are seizures a medical emergency?

A seizure is considered an emergency when it lasts a long time or when seizures occur close together and the person doesn't recover between seizures. Just like there are different types of seizures, there are also different types of emergencies.

Are seizures considered a medical emergency?

Generally, a seizure should be considered an emergency in these situations: Seizures that do not stop within a few minutes. Prolonged confusion remains after the seizure (more than 10-15 minutes). The person is not responsive after a seizure.

Which type of seizure is a medical emergency?

A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or having more than 1 within a 5 minute period is an emergency that requires immediate medical care.

Should you go to the hospital if you have a seizure?

Most seizures last between 30 seconds and two minutes and will not require any emergency medical attention. However, if someone is experiencing a seizure that lasts longer than two minutes, or they lose consciousness and it does not come back right after the seizure, you should call 911 right away.

Are most seizures emergencies?

Seizures need emergency care unless you know the person has a history of seizures and can be treated for a brief seizure at home. Someone with a history of seizures who is having their typical seizure does not need emergency response. If it is a different type of seizure, or lasts longer than 5 minutes, call 911.

A Guide to Seizure Management for Emergency Medical Responders

How many seizures a day is too many?

Some experts define a cluster as having two or three seizures within 24 hours, recovering between each one. Others define it as having several seizures and recovery periods within a few hours.

When should you take someone to the hospital after a seizure?

What would cause a seizure all of a sudden?

Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy.

Should I call 911 for a seizure?

Seizures do not usually require emergency medical attention. Only call 911 if one or more of these are true: The person has never had a seizure before. The person has difficulty breathing or waking after the seizure.

Should you let someone sleep after a seizure?

After the seizure: they may feel tired and want to sleep. It might be helpful to remind them where they are. stay with them until they recover and can safely return to what they had been doing before.

What do hospitals do for seizures?

Antiseizure medicine may be used to treat a seizure lasting longer than five minutes or for multiple seizures. For a person with epilepsy, a Dignity Health neurologist will prescribe medications to prevent or reduce the frequency of seizures. For more severe conditions, electrical stimulation or surgery may be needed.

How long is a hospital stay for seizure?

In-hospital seizure was documented in 744 (4.40%) patients. Hospital LOS was 17.64 days in patients with seizure and 6.26 days in those without (P < 0.0001). Mean intensive care unit stay increased from 3.36 days without seizure to 9.36 days with seizure.

What happens if seizures go untreated?

If seizures can't be stopped or repeated seizures occur one right after another, permanent injury or death can occur. People with epilepsy can also die from problems that occur during or after a seizure, such as inhaling vomit.

What are 5 common causes of seizures?

How long can a seizure last before brain damage?

If convulsive status epilepticus lasts for 30 minutes or longer it can cause permanent brain damage or even death.

Can seizures damage brain?

Most types of seizures do not cause damage to the brain. However, having a prolonged, uncontrolled seizure can cause harm. Because of this, treat any seizure lasting over 5 minutes as a medical emergency.

Should you call an ambulance if someone is having a seizure?

Call for an ambulance if any of these things apply:

The seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes. They have one tonic-clonic seizure after another without regaining consciousness between seizures. They are seriously injured during the seizure. They have trouble breathing after the seizure has stopped.

How long should a seizure last before calling an ambulance?

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if: it's the first time someone has had a seizure. the seizure lasts longer than is usual for them. the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, if you do not know how long their seizures usually last.

When should the rescuer call 911 for a seizure?

Call 911 for help if:

A seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer. One seizure happens right after another without the person regaining consciousness (“coming to”) between seizures. Seizures happen closer together than usual for that person. The person has trouble breathing.

What are the 3 most common causes of seizures in adults?

Overall, the most common etiology of adult onset seizures is stroke. Other causes in descending order are idiopathic seizures, CNS infections, metabolic causes, and brain tumors.

What are warning signs of a seizure?

Aura (Late Warning Signs)

A Déjà vu feeling (you feel like you are experiencing something that has occurred before) Intense fear and panic. 'Pins and needles' sensation in certain parts of your body. Jerky movements in of the arm, leg, or body.

Can a doctor tell if you've had a seizure?

Electroencephalogram (EEG) – Using electrodes attached to your head, your doctors can measure the electrical activity in your brain. This helps to look for patterns to determine if and when another seizure might occur, and it can also help them rule out other possibilities.

What do doctors do when someone has a seizure?

After a seizure, your doctor will thoroughly review your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may order several tests to determine the cause of your seizure and evaluate how likely it is that you'll have another one. Tests may include: A neurological exam.

What are the chances of having a second seizure?

The guideline shows there is strong evidence that for adults who have had a first seizure, the risk of another seizure is greatest within the first two years. The risk ranges from about a one-in-five chance, or 21 percent, to nearly a one-in-two chance, or 45 percent.

What if someone has a seizure alone?

For milder seizures, like a bit of staring or shaking arms or legs, guide the person away from hazards, including traffic, stairs, and water. Don't leave someone who's had a seizure alone. Stay until they're fully aware of where they are and can respond normally when you talk to them. Speak calmly.