Right before a seizure, many people experience an aura, which are warning signs like strange smells, tastes, visual flashes, dizziness, intense emotions (fear, anxiety), déjà vu, or tingling, but some seizures begin suddenly with no warning at all, while others have an earlier prodrome phase (hours/days before) with mood changes or fatigue. These pre-seizure feelings are actually the start of the seizure (focal aware seizures) and vary by person and brain area affected, but can include stomach rising, headaches, or confusion.

What is the first stage of a seizure?

Aura. The seizure may start with a simple or complex partial seizure known as an aura. The person may experience abnormal sensations such as a particular smell, vertigo, nausea, or anxiety. If the person is familiar with having seizures, they may recognize the warning signs of a seizure about to begin.

How to tell if a seizure is coming?

General symptoms or warning signs of a seizure can include:

1. Staring.
2. Jerking movements of the arms and legs.
3. Stiffening of the body.
4. Loss of consciousness.
5. Breathing problems or stopping breathing.
6. Loss of bowel or bladder control.
7. Falling suddenly for no apparent reason, especially when associated with loss of consciousness.

What usually happens to a person before they began to seizure?

You may have a warning feeling ('aura') or focal aware seizure, which is the feeling before a seizure happens. An aura may involve: odd smells. feeling of déjà vu (feeling like you have been in the situation before)

What happens immediately before a seizure?

The prodrome stage may include an aura. The aura is the first symptom of a seizure. Symptoms during the aura may include the feeling that a person or place is familiar, called deja vu, or a feeling that a person or place is not familiar. Or people may simply feel strange, feel fear or panic, or even have good feelings.

Aura: The Strange Feeling Before Seizures

What is the 5 minute rule for seizures?

The "5-minute rule" for seizures means that if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, it's a medical emergency requiring immediate 911 (or local emergency number) assistance, as prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) can cause brain damage. Always time the seizure, call for help if it exceeds 5 minutes, if another seizure starts without full recovery, if the person has breathing issues, is injured, pregnant, diabetic, or if it's their first seizure, as these also warrant emergency care.

What triggers a seizure?

Seizures are triggered by abnormal brain activity from factors like lack of sleep, stress, illness/fever, dehydration, hormonal changes, and skipping medication; also contributing are alcohol/drug use, flashing lights/patterns, certain foods/caffeine, and underlying issues like brain injuries, infections, or metabolic imbalances. Triggers vary by person, so identifying personal triggers through tracking is key to management. 

What is the rule of 3 for seizures?

The "Rule of 3" for seizures refers to two different concepts: a medical guideline for defining seizure freedom (wait 3 times the longest prior seizure interval) and first-aid steps (Stay, Safe, Side). Medically, the "Rule of Three-To-Six" suggests waiting three times the typical seizure interval to confirm seizure freedom after an intervention, but potentially longer (up to six times) if seizure risk is high, while clinically, the 3 S's (Stay, Safe, Side) guide first aid: Stay with the person, ensure they are Safe, and turn them on their Side for breathing.
 

Should I go to the ER after a seizure?

Yes, you should go to the ER after a seizure if it's your first seizure, lasts over five minutes, involves breathing trouble, causes injury, or if the person is pregnant, diabetic, or remains unconscious/confused afterward, as these are signs of a medical emergency needing urgent evaluation to find the cause and rule out serious issues. For typical seizures that end quickly without complications, follow up with a doctor soon, but the first-time event always warrants ER attention to diagnose the root cause. 

What are the 3 S's of a seizure?

This describes what their typical seizures look like, when to give rescue medication, and when to call 911,” said Dixon. When administering seizure first aid, follow the three S's: Stay, Safe, Side. The procedure remains the same when helping people of any age who are experiencing a seizure.

What helps bring someone out of a seizure?

How to help someone who is having a seizure

• Remain calm. ...
• Keep the person safe. ...
• Turn the person onto their side if they are not awake or aware. ...
• Do not try to stop the person's movements or hold the person down. ...
• Stay with the person until they are fully awake and alert after the seizure.

What is a pre-seizure?

Prodrome stage

During the prodromal stage some people can tell when a seizure is on its way. They may notice some early signs hours or even days before the seizure starts. Not all people experience this stage. Some common signs can include: Mood changes.

What can be mistaken as a seizure?

Health symptoms or problems, such as nausea or pain from stomach disorders or tingling and numbness from a pinched nerve, can be mistaken for focal seizures. Hallucinations (smells, tastes, sounds, visions) can accompany psychiatric illness or the use of certain drugs.

What is a silent seizure?

Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than in adults. A person having an absence seizure may stare blankly into space for a few seconds. Then the person typically returns quickly to being alert. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury.

What should you never do during a seizure?

What to avoid

• Don't hold the person down or stop their movements. This could injure you or them.
• Don't put anything in their mouth. This can hurt their teeth or jaw.
• Don't give mouth-to-mouth breaths during the seizure. ...
• Don't offer water or food until they are fully alert.

Can stress cause a seizure?

Stress that's not managed and progresses into constant anxiety or anxiety with no clear cause can trigger epilepsy seizures. Not only does stress release certain hormones that can impact the brain, but the same areas of the brain that control emotions can also be the parts of your brain where a seizure starts.

What side do you lay on when having a seizure?

You don't want the person experiencing a seizure to fall or hit their head on a counter or a piece of furniture. The ideal situation is to get them to the floor and clear an area around them. Lay on the left. Once you have them on the floor, try to position them on their left side so if they vomit, they don't choke.

What is the most serious type of seizure?

A tonic-clonic seizure causes sudden muscle stiffness, shaking and loss of consciousness. It happens when abnormal electrical activity spreads through your brain. It can affect people of any age.

What can a seizure turn into?

Status epilepticus happens when a seizure lasts for more than five minutes or you have more than one seizure without enough time between them to recover. Status epilepticus is a life-threatening medical emergency because it can cause brain damage or even death.

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