Some of the children that have absence seizures will also have generalized clonic tonic seizure. These seizures are also called Grand Mal Seizures; these are the seizures that people normally think of when they think of epilepsy.
These seizures include the arms and legs of the person getting stiff and then the spasms of the arms, legs and face begins. The person will fall on the floor, they may lose control of bladder or bowels, they may begin vomiting.
These seizures are scary when they happen, in the olden days they used to think that a person having a grand mal seizure was a sign that the devil is in the person. At least in a civilized country like America we know this is a chronic disease not a possession.
If you see a person having a grand mal seizure there is that you should do and some definite things that you should not do.
DO NOT put anything in the person’s mouth. In the past you may have heard that
you should put a spoon or something in the persons mouth however if you do it can
cause choking.
If you have something soft like a pillow or a coat place it under their head.
Stay with the person until they are done seizing.
Some seizures can cause a person to stop breathing. If this has happened start CPR
when the seizure is done. Have someone call 911 for you.
Try to move hard objects away from them so they do not hit their head on it.
You can turn the person on their side so they don’t choke on their vomit.
Do not try to restrain the person this will just cause more injury.
Keep an eye on the time. If the seizure activity last more than 5 minutes you need
to call 911.
When the seizure is over the person will have confusion, they will be tired and could have a headache. The after effects of the seizure can last from just a few minutes to a few hours. Just stay with the person and be sure another seizure does not occur and reassure them they are ok. They most likely will now know what happened so just let them know everything is ok. If a second seizure does occur call 911 and stay with them until they arrive.