**5. Management of epileptic seizures first aid**

This section intends to provide the first-aid quick guide for seizures, and the guide is particularly relevant for tonic–clonic seizures as the person fits, shakes, or jerks. Before the first aid, a brief description of the seizures is described. According Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seizures are classified into two groups [58], thus general and focal seizures.

Both absence and tonic–clonic seizures are generalized seizures that affect both sides of the brain. There can be rapid blinking or a few seconds of staring into space during absence seizures, which are sometimes called petit mal seizures. The effects of tonic–clonic seizures, also called grand mal seizures, can include crying out, losing consciousness, falling to the ground, having muscle jerks or spasms, and feeling fatigued afterward. As opposed to focal seizures, partial seizures occur only in one part of the brain. Depending on their complexity, they can be classified as simple focal, complex focal, or secondary generalized seizures. Simple focal seizures affect a small area of the brain and can cause twitching or unusual sensations. The other type of seizure is complex focal seizures, which can leave a person with epilepsy confused or bewildered. As a result, the person may be unable to react to queries or directions for a few minutes. Finally, a secondary generalized seizures originates in one section of the brain but extend to both sides. In other words, the individual has a focused seizure initially, followed by a generalized seizure [59].

Although seizures can be terrifying to witness, they are not always a medical emergency. Habitually, once the seizure stops, the person recovers, and their breathing goes back to normal. Now it is important to know what to do in case of a seizure, and the following guide [59] provides a step-by-step directive of how to attend to the person:


Usually, when a person has an epileptic seizure, there is no need to call an ambulance. However, always call for emergency assistance in case any of the following apply:


Some people recover quickly from a tonic–clonic seizure, but they will often be exhausted, want to sleep, and may not feel back to normal for several hours or days [60].

*Perspective Chapter: Practical Approaches to Enhance Successful Lives among People Living… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106649*
