Health Issues
Seizure Management
General Information: Seizures are caused by periodic excessive and sudden outburst of electrical activity from abnormal neurons (impulse conductors) in the brain. This causes an interference of normal behavior. The following is a list of symptoms you may notice when a person has a seizure: (1) body becomes stiff, (2) loss of consciousness, (3) face appears pale and facial features distorted, (4) eyes may appear glazed or fixed, (5) breathing may be shallow, (6) twitching or jerking movements of the body lasting 1-5minutes.
Instructions:
- Stay calm.
- Stay with affected person
- Do not restrain person
- Clear the area of objects which could harm the person such as hard objects, sharp objects, or hot items.
- Protect the persons head by placing a thin cushion under it. Folded clothing makes an adequate cushion. If there is fluid in the person’s mouth, such as saliva, blood or vomit, roll the person on one side so that the fluid drains from the mouth.
When the seizure is over, the person will usually begin to breathe normally. He or she may be drowsy and disoriented for a period of time. Check to see if the person was injured during the seizure. Be reassuring and comforting. If seizure occurs in public, the person may be embarrassed and self-conscious. Ask bystanders not to crowd around the person. He or she may be tired and want to rest. Stay with the person until he or she is fully conscious and aware of his or her surroundings.
The SBU Health Center attempts to be aware of all the students who suffer from a seizure disorder. Each summer an emergency medical form is sent to all students who are enrolled for the fall and also to entering students for the spring semester. Unfortunately not all students return this form. The dorms also have an emergency form that students are asked to fill out. When the Health Center is aware that a student suffers from seizures, the student is asked to always inform each of his instructors that he has seizures and describe what usually happens during this episode and what is the protocol for handling his or her seizure. If a student has a seizure in your classroom please feel free to call the Health Center at 328-1888; if the line is busy, please try 328-1892.