seizures
i don't know if you know this, but i love anything medical. i try to learn all i can about anything that comes my way, including medications, conditions, outcomes. i have blog links for several sites that talk about child leukemia, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, premature babies. i also read a lot of ER docs blogs, including WhiteCoat Rants. and one thing i've learned through out my readings, is that you NEVER put ANYTHING in the mouth of person having a seizure. i have gotten into arguments with friends over this. and since i'm not a doctor (yet), i don't really push.
but here it is, from the ER doc's mouth. an especially don't use a shoe:
A little free advice to those trying to help seizure patients …
I have never heard of a seizing patient swallowing their tongue. You may force the issue if you shove an object in their mouth, but the tongue will still be there when patient is done seizing. Seizing patients often bite their tongues - usually on the tip or on the sides. If you see blood coming from a seizing person’s mouth, chances are that is what happened. Those wounds hurt for a little while, but they heal.
Trying to shove something into a seizing patient’s mouth may damage their gums or their teeth, could compromise their breathing, may get stuck in their throat, and probably won’t do a whole lot of good. Don’t do it.
The first thing to do if a patient is seizing is to take your own pulse. It’s scary to watch if you haven’t seen it happen before.
Then do what you can to keep them from injuring themselves. If they are near the edge of a wall or there is a sharp rock on the ground nearby, try to help the person avoid it.
If the person vomits, roll them on their side so the vomit can drain out of their mouth and they don’t choke on it.
If you’re concerned about the patient’s condition, then call 911. Better safe than sorry.
Don’t put yourself in danger when doing any of the above.
There are many types of seizures. After a “grand mal” (”shaking”) seizure, the patients are usually “spent.” They often appear to be in a deep sleep and may snore. They are difficult to arouse. Very rarely is this a “stroke,” although it may appear that way to people who have never seen a seizure before. Read about what happens after a seizure, called the “post-ictal” period, here.
Oh, and keep your shoes on …
Can’t imagine what it would feel like to wake up from a seizure with the taste of crabgrass, shoe rubber, and dog manure in my mouth.
but here it is, from the ER doc's mouth. an especially don't use a shoe:
A little free advice to those trying to help seizure patients …
I have never heard of a seizing patient swallowing their tongue. You may force the issue if you shove an object in their mouth, but the tongue will still be there when patient is done seizing. Seizing patients often bite their tongues - usually on the tip or on the sides. If you see blood coming from a seizing person’s mouth, chances are that is what happened. Those wounds hurt for a little while, but they heal.
Trying to shove something into a seizing patient’s mouth may damage their gums or their teeth, could compromise their breathing, may get stuck in their throat, and probably won’t do a whole lot of good. Don’t do it.
The first thing to do if a patient is seizing is to take your own pulse. It’s scary to watch if you haven’t seen it happen before.
Then do what you can to keep them from injuring themselves. If they are near the edge of a wall or there is a sharp rock on the ground nearby, try to help the person avoid it.
If the person vomits, roll them on their side so the vomit can drain out of their mouth and they don’t choke on it.
If you’re concerned about the patient’s condition, then call 911. Better safe than sorry.
Don’t put yourself in danger when doing any of the above.
There are many types of seizures. After a “grand mal” (”shaking”) seizure, the patients are usually “spent.” They often appear to be in a deep sleep and may snore. They are difficult to arouse. Very rarely is this a “stroke,” although it may appear that way to people who have never seen a seizure before. Read about what happens after a seizure, called the “post-ictal” period, here.
Oh, and keep your shoes on …
Can’t imagine what it would feel like to wake up from a seizure with the taste of crabgrass, shoe rubber, and dog manure in my mouth.
posted by mikraas at 8:23 PM
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