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How
Best to Record Seizures
Keeping
a record of seizures is important. Few doctors ever see their
patients with epilepsy having a seizure and they rely heavily
on the account of an observer – a relative, colleague,
worker, teachers, instructor, in making a diagnosis. There
are many different types of seizures, and a precise diagnosis
is easier to make if a clear description of the seizures is
available.
In
addition, after diagnosis the doctor will welcome an on–going
record of seizures detailing the frequency of seizures and
any changes that may occur in the pattern of the seizures
or in the seizure type. Such information will help the doctor
in prescribing appropriate treatment.
If
you are caring for a person who has epilepsy you will need
to know what to look for. You may miss important details if
you do not understand their relevance. Parents may soon grow
to recognise the features of epilepsy in their child. Others,
such as care staff may look after a number of people with
epilepsy who are all affected differently. To ensure consistency
of information in such instances it may be advisable to develop
a standard form of recording seizures.
Seizure
Stages
There may be several stages in a seizure and each should
be carefully observed and recorded.
Build
up and onset
This may last for several days in the form of a build–up
of tension, or for only a few minutes. In some instances an
‘aura’ (a partial seizure) consisting of odd sensations
such as an unpl(EASANT) smell, tingling feeling or ‘butterflies’
in the stomach may precede a major convulsive seizure.
The
seizure
This may be one of many types. Each seizure is individual
to the person who has it.
The
period after the seizure
Recovery may be immediate, quick or may take a few hours.
On rare occasions effects may last for as long as a few days
in the case of an elderly person.
After major convulsive seizures there is often confusion and
drowsiness and sometimes unsteady gait, headache, or slurred
speech.
The
following questions should help you in gathering the information
the doctor needs.
| 1. |
What
was the date of the seizure?
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| 2. |
What
was the exact time of day?
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| 3. |
What
was the person doing at the time?
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| 4. |
Had
the person just fallen asleep, or woken up?
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| 5. |
What
called your attention to the seizure (a cry, fall, stare,
head turn)?
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| 6. |
Did
the seizure progress slowly or quickly?
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| 7. |
How
long did each stage of the seizure last?
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| 8. |
What
parts of the body were affected?
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| 9. |
Was
one side affected more than the other?
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| 10. |
Did
the body become stiff?
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| 11. |
Did
it jerk, twitch, or go into convulsions?
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| 12. |
Was
the person unconscious?
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| 13. |
If
no, was there any alteration in awareness?
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| 14. |
Did
the skin show changes (flushed, clammy, signs of blueness)?
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| 15. |
Did
the breathing change?
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| 16. |
Did
the person talk or perform any actions during the seizure?
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| 17. |
Was
the person incontinent of bladder or bowel?
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| 18. |
Did
the person vomit during the seizure?
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| 19. |
Did
any injuries result from the seizure?
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| 20. |
How
did the person behave after the seizure (alert, drowsy,
confused)?
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| 21. |
After
recovery did the person remember any unusual sensations
before or at the onset of the seizure?
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| 22. |
How
long did the person take to recover completely?
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| 23. |
If
the person takes medication, when was the last dose before
the seizure?
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| 24. |
Anything
else associated with the seizure you think the doctor
should know? |
If you can answer all these questions you will provide a very
full picture of the person’s epilepsy. A complete account
such as this can be very useful at the onset of epilepsy or
at times of change (eg. a change in medication, or a change
in the pattern of seizures
Your
doctor may give you a seizure record chart or you can print
one by clicking here
Keeping
a Seizure Record Chart
Seizure
Record Chart
At
all times the recording of information should be discreet,
so that each seizure does not look more important than it
is.
Original
courtesy of Epilepsy Association of Scotland
Revised April 2002
This
information provided by the Epilepsy Association of South
Australia Inc on the Internet is designed to provide basic
information about epilepsy. It is not intended, nor does it
constitute medical or other professional advice. Diagnosis
and advice on medical care or other assessments should be
sought from a medical practitioner or suitably qualified professional.
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