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Epilepsy

• Overview
• Treatment

Treating epilepsy
Anticonvulsant drugs work to bring the electrical activity within the brain under control and are used to treat all types of epilepsy.

Dealing with an epileptic seizure
It must be remembered that an epileptic seizure must run its course. The only way you can help is to ensure the person suffering the seizure does not hurt themselves more by banging against furniture or thrashing around near sources of danger such as hot cooking utensils, fire or electricity. On no occasion should you try to force anything into the patient’s mouth – the jaws will be clamped shut and you risk injury to yourself and the patient.

If the seizure has happened in a public place, move the patient to safety as soon as the seizure has subsided. Ensure that the patient’s clothing is loosened so that they can breathe and turn them gently onto their side. If this is their first attack, remember as many details as you can in order to recount them to the doctor.