Epilepsy awareness: The do’s and don’ts in the first 10 minutes after a seizure

The word epilepsy is difficult to pronounce, and the mere mention of it makes people and families uneasy. Thus, on this International World Epilepsy Day, we hope to make individuals and families aware that epilepsy is neither uncommon nor contagious, nor a disability.

Epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological ailment globally, is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by repeated, unprovoked seizures caused by sudden aberrant electrical activity in the brain. This disorder affects people of all ages, and it can occur at any time.

A case in point is Rahul, a 17-year-old guy who collapses in the bathroom while taking a shower one day and goes unconscious. He cannot move his body. Fortunately, his father hears the noise and runs to aid him. The episode occurs twice within two days. After visiting with the doctor, the family learns that your son has epilepsy.

This brings us to today’s primary topic: what should you do in the first 10 minutes after a seizure? Seizures can be unpredictable and occur at any time, causing great concern for persons with epilepsy and their families.