Grand mal seizures, also known as generalized tonic-clonic seizures, are one of the more severe forms of seizures in people with epilepsy. During a grand mal seizure, the patient and those around them need to take extra care to avoid behaviors that may aggravate the condition or pose a danger to the person. Here are four things you must not do when you have a grand mal seizure.
1. Don't forcibly restrain the patient
In a grand mal seizure, patients may experience generalized muscle rigidity and clonus, with twitching of the limbs. At this point, do not forcibly restrain the patient's limbs or restrict their movements. Forced restraint may cause fractures or joint dislocations, aggravating the injury. The correct way to do this is to make sure that the patient's surroundings are safe and avoid injury to the patient with sharp or hard objects, and then gently place the patient flat on the ground, maintaining the lateral decubitus position so that saliva and vomit can flow smoothly and avoid suffocation.
2. Do not attempt to feed or water the patient
During a grand mal seizure, the patient's laryngeal muscles may spasm, causing difficulty swallowing. Feeding or watering the patient at this time may cause food or water to enter the airway, creating a choking hazard. Therefore, during a seizure, feeding or watering the patient should be avoided. Wait until the seizure is over and the person regains consciousness before giving an appropriate diet and fluids.
3. Don't try to force the patient to stop the seizure
A grand mal seizure is a self-limiting condition that usually stops on its own within a few minutes. During an attack, the patient is unable to control their physical activity on their own and cannot forcibly stop the attack by external force. Forcing a person to stop a seizure may cause injury or worsen the condition. The right thing to do is to stay calm, observe the person's seizures, make sure the surroundings are safe, and seek medical assistance if necessary.
4. Don't neglect post-seizure observation and care
While grand mal seizures may stop on their own for a short period of time, patients may experience a period of confusion or sleepiness after the seizure. At this point, the patient should continue to be observed, ensure that the patient is in a safe environment, and avoid any behavior that may cause harm to the patient. At the same time, contact the doctor in time to inform the seizure so that the doctor can carry out follow-up** and care according to the patient's specific situation.
In conclusion, during a grand mal seizure, it's important to stay calm and take the right response. Avoiding the above four wrong behaviors, keeping the patient's surroundings safe, and seeking medical assistance in a timely manner will help reduce the patient's suffering and reduce the risk of complications. At the same time, it is also very important for epilepsy patients and their families to understand the characteristics of epilepsy and the correct coping measures, which will help to better manage and control epilepsy.
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