Seizure Disorders: How To Recognize, Respond, And Provide Help

Published on: 16 August 2023 Last Updated on: 12 January 2024

With the regular electrical activity of the human brain, electrical impulses are coordinately discharged to the nerves, muscles, and the spinal cord. However, seizure disorders may arise when the brain’s electrical activity is disrupted.

The most common picture of someone having a seizure is losing consciousness and uncontrollable shaking. Seeing someone with these symptoms could be terrifying, but by knowing more about these conditions, you can recognize, respond, and even provide help and support to the affected individuals.

Understanding Seizures and Seizure Disorders

There are two major types of seizures: epileptic and non-epileptic. Epileptic seizures are unprovoked seizures that happen without a trigger. It’s also commonly called epilepsy.

Factors that may have caused epilepsy include stroke, tumors, and structural abnormalities, among other brain disorders. The condition is called “symptomatic epilepsy.” This condition commonly affects newborn and old individuals.

To manage this condition, a healthcare professional may first prescribe you low-dosage medications like Klonopin. Your doctor may adjust the dosage until your seizures are well controlled. To save on this medication, check out Klonopin Discount Coupon you may use in many pharmacies across the county.

Conversely, non-epileptic seizures are provoked by temporary conditions that irritate the brain. The triggers could vary from a head injury, a reaction to a drug, or an allergy.

Individuals already diagnosed with a seizure disorder are more likely to get seizures if they are sleep-deprived, intoxicated, under excess emotional or physical stress, or if they have suddenly stopped drinking or using sedatives.

Recognizing the Signs of a Seizure

A person about to have a seizure will feel what they call an “aura” or unusual sensations. The symptoms may include butterflies in the stomach, abnormal smells and tastes, déjà vu, jamais vu, and an intense feeling that a seizure is about to happen.

Phases of a Seizure

A seizure has three phases: aura and prodrome (beginning), ictal (middle), and postictal (end). The beginning phase includes the prodrome stage beside the aura. In this phase, an individual about to get a seizure will experience anxiety, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, lightheadedness, and difficulty staying focused.

In the middle phase, also called “ictal,” common signs include memory lapse, confusion, twitching, loss of muscle control, body convulsions, trouble breathing, repeated movements, and racing heart, among other signs.

In the last phase, or “postictal,” the epileptic person would experience fatigue, headache, confusion, lack of consciousness, shame, sore muscles, and thirst, among other experiences.

Responding to Seizures: Dos and Don’ts

It is safe to offer help if you have mastered the guide on responding to the situation and know what to avoid when offering support. Equip yourself with knowledge by reading this guide:

Dos

To help someone with a seizure, here are safe things you can do:

Compose yourself
Set a cushion to support their head
Check if they have an epilepsy card or any identification that can help you with your next steps
Remove any obstructions in the area that can injure them
Lay them on their side
Loosen their collar and other tight clothing
Record how long the convulsions lasted
Place them in a recovery position when the convulsions stopped

Don’ts

These are the things you shouldn’t do when helping an epileptic individual:

Do not put anything between their teeth during convulsions
Do not hold down the person
Do not feed them or give them a beverage
Do not leave them

Providing First Aid During a Seizure

You must ensure a safe environment and remove any potential hazards when providing first aid. For instance, if the person is in the middle of the road, you should move them, but if they are in an enclosed space, don’t try to carry them and transfer them to a bed. Just clear the space by removing the furniture away from the person.

As you ease the person to the floor, you can slowly turn them into one side to help them breathe. If the person is wearing glasses, remove them from their face. You should also time the seizure and call an emergency team if it persists after five minutes. A first aid & CPR course teaches an individual how to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, providing immediate assistance until professional help arrives.

It’s also important to observe them while having seizures so you can give the medical team more information on what happened.

Seeking Medical Attention and Diagnosis

To detect the cause of seizures and diagnose epilepsy, one must undergo evaluations like a neurological exam, blood tests, and genetic testing. To know more about these tests, read the information below:

● Neurological Exam

This evaluation covers testing a person’s motor abilities, behavior, and mental functions, among other areas. This could help your doctor determine what type of epilepsy you may have and diagnose your condition.

● Blood Tests

With blood tests, your doctor can detect if you have infections or genetic conditions that may have caused the seizures.

● Generic Testing

Generic Testing is commonly administered to children to give more information about the condition so doctors can come up with ways to treat it.

Conclusion

Some epileptic individuals feel embarrassed about their conditions, as some still think that epilepsy is contagious or something that makes a person less capable of doing things and thinking on their own. Through this blog, we hope many would promote epilepsy and seizure disorder awareness, debunk misconceptions about this condition, and willingly offer help to individuals with epilepsy.

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Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Things No One Warns You About When Working Home Health Care Assistance

Caregivers make up a critically important part of the healthcare system, around 9.5 million people are involved - either family members, or trained professionals. Taking up such a spot requires a great deal of heartfelt desire to help, support, and sacrifice. Whatever the noble cause to start, the reality can be quite harsh, everything that involves human-human contact becomes a challenge, sooner or later. The caregiving position encompasses two sides: Visible or physical - bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, feeding, etc. Invisible or psychological - empathy, support, listening, sympathy, care, compassion, patience - and all these qualities are doubled or tripled depending on the case. This is just a short list of theoretically crucial requirements. However, in practice, everything is even more demanding. Those who are willing to apply for the home care assistant jobs, need to be aware of all the aspects of such an occupation, including the flip side. 1. Emotional breakouts People who are full of compassion are emphatic, they feel what others feel and co-live the pain. Apart from making you a great listener, it can also devastate you from the inside. Obviously, the majority of the clients have a sad story when reaching you, and they share their pain, as it’s just natural. That’s the moment when you need to learn to build walls to defend your world from crushing. It doesn’t mean being ignorant about someone’s feelings, but not letting them go through you. Even if it sounds cruel, it’s a vital step to save your psychological health. Think about the doctors, they see a lot, but they never cross the border of empathy, as it will lead to a breakout. Listen, analyze, and sympathize, but never let it inside. Emotionally-proofed people will work more efficiently, as their emotional state will not get the lead. 2. Physical challenge The lightest cases of caregiving will get by with shopping, cleaning, and cooking, which don’t require a high level of physical strength. It is quite a pleasant experience, as the person you are looking after can make a great friend, talker, and listener - just one more person to learn from. However, the prevailing number of care receivers have more severe issues and will require bathing, toilet assistance, washing, etc. In this case, you will make the main force. If you don’t have enough muscle endurance and strength, you both will suffer - your client and you, as the probability of injuries gets too high. In order to prevent such situations from happening, you need to be physically prepared - going to the gym is the best variant. Remember, your health is the foundation of your life and daily performance, your most precious resource. Don’t let it deteriorate, otherwise, your career will end up quite soon. Related: Is Medical Assistant A Good Career Path In 2021? 3. Mood swings We all know about kids experiencing mood swings due to hormonal changes, and they find it hard to control their emotions. However, they are not alone in this problem. The elderly can undergo even more severe mood changes. There are various reasons for that - reaction to pain, health problems, terminal illnesses, inability to accept the changes in body and lifestyle due to aging, etc. While young people mock at grumpiness of the seniors, it’s worth digging more, to see the reason for such negativism. The majority of the clients used to be cheerful and easy-going a few decades before, however, the life lessons could be too hard for many. It is important not to flinch and be understanding, just change the topic, tell a joke to ease the tension, etc. It will help greatly if you deepen your knowledge of the psychology and behavioral changes of seniors. 4. Awkward moments Dressing/undressing, washing/bathing, toilet assistance - these are the most painful moment for people you help. Nobody is used to being suddenly limited in such easy activities and motions, this is the hardest truth to accept. It may cause excessive shyness or an overwhelmingly protective reaction. After it becomes a regular routine, things will get simpler, yet it takes time to adjust. 5. Personal care A good caregiver is a healthy caregiver - psychologically and physically, as only the balance of both will work. Physical exercises, proper nutrition, and sound sleep - the three most important cornerstones for efficient functioning during the day: Some people dismiss the necessity of physical exercise, saying that they have enough at work. However, that’s pretty faulty thinking. Planned and scheduled physical training creates the resources (strength and endurance) you use while working. Proper nutrition consists of healthy proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Just snacking around will not provide your body with the necessary energy, thus, you will quickly get exhausted. Sound sleep takes about 7-9 hours; if you reduce the time frames to 5-7, your body will not recover after a physically exhausting say. The state of tiredness will accumulate and will lead to health problems and chronic fatigue. Taking care of others is honorable, yet taking care of yourself must be a high-priority task. 6. Financial reward The profitability of caregiving depends on many factors. The average salary of caregivers is around $26, however, it varies according to the state, the services provided, the license, and your skills. While some people think that caregiving is an underqualified position, that is nothing but a common misconception. The more knowledge you have, the better your profile will be. Use every chance to grow within your professional world, and go as far as having a caregiver certification. Attend supplemental training related to medicine, psychology, and physiology. Surely, it’s not possible to be a jack-of-all-trades, however, knowing the basics will definitely increase your chances for better pay, and it will help to grow and instill your confidence, which is a sound ground for your work. Caregiving is sometimes called paid-for care, sometimes as a sacrifice, and sometimes as a work out of despair; however, none of the variants is right. Being a caregiver is a choice and a personal decision. When taking on such a position, you become a co-engine for another person, their help, friend, assistant, and consolation. Yet it’s always important to remember the ‘you’ part, and not to work at the expense of your resources. Read Also: Parasitic Infections Of The Intestinal System, Skin, And Eyes What is the World Trade Center Health Program? How Much Does 24/7 In-Home Care Cost?

Treating Open Wounds – Types, Treatments, and Complications

An open wound is an injury that breaks the skin leaves internal tissue exposed. The most common causes of open wounds are sharp objects, falls, and car crashes. Some wounds heal on their own with a bandage and a bit of patience. However, in case of more serious wounds, you should seek help from medical professionals, such as the ones working in this wound care center Lewisville. Types of Open Wounds: Lacerations are deep cuts or tears of the skin. They’re usually caused by knives, machinery, or tools. If the laceration is deep, it can cause extensive bleeding. Abrasions occur when the skin scrapes or rubs against a hard or rough surface. They usually don’t cause lots of bleeding, but need to be cleaned in order to prevent infections. Avulsions are usually a result of violent accidents like gunshots, explosions, and crushes. They involve tearing away of the skin and the tissue beneath, as well as heavy bleeding. Punctures are small holes caused by long and pointy objects like needles or nails. In some cases, a puncture wound can be caused by a bullet. Even if there is no heavy bleeding, the puncture can be quite deep and cause damage to your internal organs. How to Treat Open Wounds: Some minor wounds can be treated at home, while others require immediate medical care. Treating Wounds At Home If your wound is minor, start by washing and disinfecting it to remove any dirt or debris. Try to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure. Use sterile bandage or dressing to wrap the wound. Keep it dry and clean for a few days and get lots of rest. If you feel any pain, you can take Tylenol, but avoid using products that contain aspirin as they can cause bleeding. You can also consult with your doctor about using CBD to ease the pain. If there’s swelling or bruising, apply some ice. Apply sunscreen every time you’re going out until the area heals completely. When to Seek Medical Help Seek medical help immediately in the following cases: The wound is deep, large, or has jagged edges. The bleeding won’t stop after applying pressure or lasts for more than 15 minutes. The edges of the wound don’t stay together. Medical Treatments for Open Wounds: After cleaning the wound, your doctor might close it using sutures, stitches, or skin glue. In case of a puncture, you’ll probably get a tetanus vaccine as well. Depending on the wound’s severity, your doctor may leave the wound open and allow it to heal naturally. In that case, you’ll probably need to pack the wound with sterile gauze to prevent infection. Make sure your hands are clean whenever you’re changing your dressings and bandages. Before dressing the wound again, you should disinfect it. If there’s a risk of infection, you’ll need to take antibiotics. In case of very serious wounds, you may need surgical intervention. Possible Complications: The most complication of open wounds is an infection. Here are some common signs of infection: Green, malodorous, or cloudy drainage Fever of over 101oF Continual pain from the wound Redness, hot skin, or swelling around the wound Loss of movement and function Final Thoughts Regardless of whether your wound is minor or serious, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Minor wounds usually heal on their own, but if you’re seriously wounded, you need to see a doctor immediately in order to receive appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of infection. Read Also: Overview of Turmeric Use in Traditional Medicine Living With Diabetes – What are the Possible Complications? The End of an Era: Is It Time to Call the End of the TSM Dynasty?

10 Health Problems Eased by Yoga

Yoga originated over 4,000 years ago as a spiritual practice. Over time, however, health and wellness experts have found that there are many physical benefits as well. Now, yoga is as much of physical practice as it is a spiritual one. While yoga is not a substitute for traditional healthcare, as a compliment, it can help ease symptoms associated with a variety of health problems. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), people are increasingly using yoga to relieve pain, anxiety, stress, and to improve their overall health. So what are the health problems that yoga can help with? Put together by a Portland yoga studio, let’s take a look at 10 health conditions that researchers show yoga can ease. 10 Health Problems Eased by Yoga 1. Chronic Stress: Practicing yoga may be helpful in relieving chronic stress. A regular yoga practice can reduce your stress response and provide options for self-soothing and better management of stress. 2. Anxiety: A study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine shows that yoga can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. When used alongside other treatment methods, it is helpful in reducing anxiety and helping patients manage their symptoms. 3. Heart Health: Practicing yoga has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of heart disease. When practiced as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, yoga can be used to improve heart health and reduce the risk of dangerous diseases. 4. Brain Health: Practicing yoga could be beneficial in improving brain health. Researchers report that people who practiced yoga for 14 years had thicker brain tissue in the areas responsible for memory and attention than their peers. 5. Chronic Back Pain: People who suffer from chronic back pain may find some relief through a regular yoga practice. Research shows that yoga can reduce back pain and improve mental health in people with chronic pain. Researchers note that yoga and other stretching exercises are both beneficial in this way. 6. Improve Balance: Yoga is a great way to improve balance. This is important, especially for older adults. Some studies suggest that a regular yoga practice can reduce the risk of falls in older adults. This is a promising option for older adults to get low-impact and meaningful exercise. 7. Thyroid Function: Research in Medical News Today suggests that stress can lead to improper thyroid function. Fortunately, practicing yoga can reduce stress, which in turn, helps improve thyroid function. Research is ongoing, but studies suggest yoga could potentially help ease medical conditions like hypo-and hyperthyroidism. 8. Diabetes: Research in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research shows that a regular yoga practice can reduce blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. For people with Type 2 diabetes, not only could they lower their glucose levels naturally, but they also may be slowing down progression of the disease. 9. Atrial Fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition where the upper chambers of the heart don’t contract as they should. This can cause symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. It also increases the risk of heart failure. Research shows, however, that practicing yoga at least twice weekly can improve symptoms. When added as part of a regular treatment plan, yoga can help improve heart function and manage stress. 10. Boost Immune System: Health conditions related to chronic stress account for 60 to 80 percent of all visits to primary care doctors. Several studies now show that practicing yoga can reduce stress, and as a result, also reduce the symptoms caused by it. Chronic stress and illness weaken the immune system, but a regular yoga practice could be the key to naturally averting some of these illnesses. As you can see, there are many benefits to practicing yoga. The next time you talk to your doctor, ask him or her about the possible benefits of adding yoga to your treatment plan. Is Yoga Enough Exercise? Yoga can be enough of an exercise, especially if you're looking to improve flexibility, balance, and strength. In fact, if you do it right, it helps build core muscles and tones the body while promoting relaxation. But if you have intense cardio or muscle-building goals, it might not be enough. In that case, coupling yoga with other cardio or muscle building exercises is the best way to go. Is 10 Minutes of Yoga Good? First, you must understand that building a yoga routine takes time. Therefore, you should begin with a ten-minute routine. So, yes, even if you only have 10 minutes, yoga can help you feel better, more flexible, and less stressed. It’s perfect for a midday break or to start your day on the right foot. Regular work in small doses adds up to big improvement. Yoga After Delivery? Yes, you can.... but....not right away! On the safe side we recommend waiting at least a few weeks after delivery to start yoga but it depends on the recovery. Post delivery yoga should focus on breathing & stretching lightly. Do not try to move your body too much! Yes, you won't be too flexible at that time (even if you do yoga beforehand). It is normal! Note: Please consult your doctor if your body is ready for physical activity & then only get back to regular yoga. What Yoga is Appropriate When Pregnant? Prenatal yoga is a type of yoga class that is specifically designed for pregnant women. Prenatal yoga classes are usually gentle and focus on breathing and relaxation techniques. If you’re pregnant, use our prenatal directory to find a prenatal yoga, then drop into a class. Finally: Can Yoga Help with Anxiety? Yes, yoga is great for anxiety! Yoga uses conscious breathing and movement to induce relaxation and calm the mind. Over time, this practice lowers stress hormones—making it an effective natural treatment for anxiety disorders. But both yoga and other forms of treatment are needed for optimal mental health benefits. However, over time, you must build consistency. You cannot do yoga occasionally for a month and expect a change. If you want to see some difference, whether physical or mental, you will have to keep going. Read Also: How To Live Stress-Free Effects of Anxiety on Heart Disease 5 Ways To Get Healthier In The New Year Some Famous People Who Have Battled with Depression 10 Tips on How to Ditch the Stress and Start Living a Peaceful Life

Seizure Disorders: How To Recognize, Respond, And Provide Help

Understanding Seizures and Seizure Disorders

Recognizing the Signs of a Seizure

Phases of a Seizure

Responding to Seizures: Dos and Don’ts