Having active seizures puts you at risk, and there are certain types of seizure which research has shown increase a person’s risk level further:
Generalised Tonic-Clonic Seizures (GTCS)
- These seizures are what most people picture when they think of a seizure
- It is when a person loses consciousness, becomes stiff (often falling to the ground) and then starts to shake or convulse. This type of seizure puts people at a higher risk of injury and death compared to other seizure types
- These seizures often last between 1-3 minutes. Should the seizure last longer the person may need additional emergency care. The clinician may suggest the need for a personal emergency care plan, or emergency medication where there is a risk of future prolonged seizures.
There are positive actions you can take to reduce your risks if you have this type of seizure. Read more here
Nocturnal Seizures (& seizures which happen during sleep)
- Nocturnal seizures happen when a person is asleep, or shortly after waking. This type of seizure puts people at a higher risk of death compared to other seizure types
- Some people may have seizures if they sleep during the day eg: during a nap or if they work shift-work
- People with nocturnal seizures may not know they are having seizures unless they are witnessed by someone, or if they have a monitoring device such as a monitor or alarm which may alert that they are happening
- If you have epilepsy and you notice or suspect anything unusual in the morning eg: bruises, bite marks on your tongue, incontinence, extra tiredness, headache, stiffness, speak to your clinician about this
There are positive actions you can take to reduce your risks if you have this type of seizure. Read more here
Cluster Convulsive Seizures and Status Epilepticus
Some people with epilepsy have very long seizures (‘prolonged’ seizures). All seizure types can become prolonged, but convulsive seizures (eg: tonic-clonic seizures) require urgent treatment and emergency medication may be needed to stop them.
These seizures may be called:
- Cluster seizures - where seizures occur one after the other without recovery in between
- Status epilepticus – continuous seizure activity for 30 minutes or longer. This type of seizure has a high risk of death, so guidelines recommend early intervention (such as emergency medication) after 5 minutes of generalised tonic-clonic seizure activity
Guidelines (NICE, UK) recommend that emergency medication is started 5 minutes after a person first goes into a prolonged convulsive seizure or if they have 3 or more convulsive seizures in an hour.
Early treatment can stop a long run of seizures. If you have these types of seizures, your clinician can help to develop a first aid plan which may include:
1. the use of rescue medications to prevent prolonged seizures developing
2. advising others how to help when you have a seizure, and when to call emergency services
1. the use of rescue medications to prevent prolonged seizures developing
2. advising others how to help when you have a seizure, and when to call emergency services
CLICK HERE FOR ADVICE ON MANAGING YOUR SEIZURES