Seizure Information: Spotting Seizures and What to Do

Seizures don’t always look the same. Some people have a brief blank stare, others have jerking movements, and some lose awareness for minutes. Knowing common signs and a few clear rules can make a big difference when someone has a seizure.

Quick First Aid Steps

Stay calm and time the seizure — length matters. Put something soft under the person’s head and move nearby sharp objects away. Don’t force anything into their mouth or try to hold their limbs down. If they vomit or you suspect choking, gently roll them onto their side once the jerking stops so their airway stays clear.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, if another seizure starts right after the first, if the person is injured, pregnant, has diabetes, or it’s their first known seizure. Those are signs they need urgent medical care.

Common Causes, Triggers, and Safety Tips

Seizures can come from epilepsy, head injuries, infections, low blood sugar, or medication issues. Triggers people can often control include missed meds, poor sleep, heavy alcohol use, strong flashing lights, and severe stress. Keeping a regular sleep schedule, taking medications on time, and avoiding heavy drinking lowers risk.

At home, consider safety changes: shower instead of bathe alone, use oven timers and stove guards, and avoid climbing ladders. Wear medical ID if you have recurrent seizures and keep a seizure diary with date, time, length, activity, and any warning signs — this helps your doctor adjust treatment.

Medication is the main treatment for many people with recurrent seizures. Common choices include levetiracetam, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and valproate (Depakote). Each drug has benefits and side effects; for example, valproate can be effective but has known risks in pregnancy and needs careful counseling for women of childbearing age. Never stop or change seizure meds without talking to your clinician.

Some people need rescue meds for long or clustered seizures. These may be prescribed as buccal midazolam or rectal diazepam for use at home. If you or a caregiver get a rescue med, ask for clear instructions and practice how to use it safely before an emergency occurs.

Keeping track of changes matters. If seizures become more frequent, longer, or different in type, contact your doctor. Also see care quickly after your first seizure — doctors often order blood tests, an EEG, and brain imaging to find the cause and pick the right treatment.

Seizures are scary but manageable. Learn basic first aid, avoid common triggers, follow your treatment plan, and keep records to help your care team. If you want more detail on medications used for seizures, check our article on Depakote uses and safety for extra practical info to bring to your next appointment.