Ability to retract tongue and emergency guidance for seizures and additional advice
In the event of a seizure, it's crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the person involved. One potential complication during a seizure is the tongue falling back and obstructing the throat, leading to difficulty breathing and reduced oxygen intake.
To prevent airway obstruction, the recommended steps are:
- Position the patient on their side (recovery position) to allow the tongue to fall forward and keep the airway clear.
- Clear the airway by suctioning any oral secretions if needed.
- Insert a nasal airway device to help maintain airway patency if trained to do so.
- Avoid placing anything in the patient's mouth during a seizure, such as fingers or objects, as this can cause injury or worsen airway obstruction.
- Administer oxygen via a non-rebreather mask if available and assist ventilation if the patient is hypoxic or has poor respiratory effort.
Waveform capnography can be useful to assess airway patency; no waveform indicates obstruction potentially from the tongue, while a return of waveform indicates restored airflow.
If someone has a suspected head injury during a seizure, it's important to ensure that the airways are clear. Moving the person into the recovery position, if they are unconscious, can prevent the tongue from blocking the throat during a seizure.
Other steps to take when dealing with a suspected head injury during a seizure include:
- Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
- Cover any open wounds on the head or discharge from the ears or nose with a sterile dressing.
- Keep the person warm with a blanket or coat.
- Look for a medical bracelet that provides any emergency information or contact details on the person who has had a seizure.
If the person is conscious after a seizure, help them move into the position they find most comfortable rather than into the recovery position. Reassure the person who has had a seizure and explain that they have had a seizure. Stay with the person during the seizure recovery, talking to them in a calm, reassuring manner until they recover.
In general, it's important to remember that if someone has their first seizure, a seizure in water, difficulty breathing or waking up after a seizure, a second seizure that starts after the first seizure ends without the person becoming fully conscious in between, a seizure that causes an injury, such as a head injury, a seizure during pregnancy, a seizure and they have a serious health condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Lastly, it's essential not to insert objects or fingers into someone's mouth when they are having a seizure and to call 911 or their local emergency department if necessary. Call the police if there is any threat to safety during a seizure.
- During a seizure, the tongue might obstruct the throat, leading to difficulty breathing, therefore, it's crucial to position the patient on their side (recovery position).
- In the case of a suspected head injury during a seizure, it's important to ensure the airways are clear, especially if the person is unconscious, by moving them into the recovery position.
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