Information about Epilepsy and Seizures
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms. Seizures - episodes of abnormal mental or muscular activity - are the basic indicator of Epilepsy. Seizures occur when brain cells misfire causing an electrical storm in the brain. They may be infrequent or in a rapid succession.
An individual having a seizure may experience one or more of the following symptoms for a couple of seconds or a couple of minutes:
- Stare blankly
- Appear to be daydreaming
- Mention feeling tired
- Lose consciousness
- Display jerking limbs (trunk, neck, eyes, or face)
- Lose saliva
- Have noisy respiration
- Appear a dusty pale blue color (face, nails or lips)
If an individual is having a seizure:
- Gently roll the person onto one side and put something soft under the head
- Loosen tight neckwear
- Don't put anything in the mouth
- Don't try to restrain the person
- Look for medical alert bracelet
- If the individual is unconscious (unresponsive to voice command or in obvious pain) call 9-911 on campus and 911 off campus.
Provide the 911 dispatcher with the following information:
- The exact location (name of building, street, floor)
- Condition/nature of emergency
- Unresponsive individual's name
- Caller's name
- Extension or phone number call is coming from
- Direct someone to meet the ambulance
- Call GU Security (x3222) after you have called 911
This information is provided by the Accessibility Committee. Please direct any medical questions to the Student Health Center at x4052.