[Medical Q&A] What should I do if an epileptic patient suddenly experiences convulsions in his limbs?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Tian Jinzhou, Chief Physician, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Epilepsy, formerly known as "epilepsy" or "epilepsy", has common clinical manifestations such as sudden convulsions of the limbs, foaming at the mouth, clenched jaws and loss of consciousness. It is one of the common diseases in neurology, which is more common in children and adolescents, and is also not uncommon in the elderly. So, what should we do if we encounter an epileptic patient with limb convulsions in our daily life?

The correct approach: Let the patient convulse quietly and safely for a while to prevent injury and keep the airway open! The key points are as follows:

(1) Stay calm and don't panic. Help the patient lie on his side or flat with his head tilted to one side to facilitate the flow of oral secretions and avoid choking and suffocation.

(2) Loosen the patient's clothing to keep his or her airway open.

(3) Remove obstacles next to the patient and make sure to create a "safe" environment so that the patient can "safely" end the seizure.

(4) Remember not to put your fingers or any other objects into the patient's mouth, and do not press hard on the patient's limbs to avoid fractures.

(5) You should always stay by the patient's side and wipe away oral secretions at any time.

(6) After the epileptic seizure stops, the patient will face a period of "post-ictal fatigue" during which the brain is not fully awake. Do not disturb the patient, but stay with him/her until he/she is fully awake. Do not give water, medicine or food by mouth unless the patient is fully awake.

(7) Record the time of the patient’s epileptic seizure so that help can only be provided after the seizure stops.