Epilepsy: seizure first aid and follow-up
Seizures do not always involve shaking. Keep the person safe, track the duration and know their individual care plan.
Do not wait with emergency symptoms
Call 112 in Türkiye for a first seizure, a seizure lasting over five minutes, repeated seizures close together, or difficulty breathing or waking. Injury, a seizure in water, pregnancy or loss of consciousness in someone with diabetes also require emergency help.
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Are epilepsy and a seizure the same?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving repeated seizures; a single seizure does not always mean epilepsy. Some seizures involve staring, inability to respond or unusual movements. A clinician assesses the diagnosis and cause.
Keep the person safe during a seizure
- Time the seizure, move harmful objects away and place something soft under the head. Stay with the person.
- Do not restrain movements or put anything in the mouth. Gently turn a person who is lying down onto their side and watch their breathing.
- Do not give food or drink until fully alert. With emergency signs, do not delay calling 112 while looking for a personal care plan.
Treatment is individual
Anti-seizure medicines are commonly used. Speak with your clinician if seizures continue or side effects occur; do not stop medicine yourself. Other treatments or a specialist-supervised diet may be considered for some people. No single success rate or recovery time applies to everyone.
Preparing for follow-up
- Record when the seizure happened, its duration, what you saw and the recovery afterwards; share these observations with your clinician.
- Bring a medicine list and your questions. Ask the care team for a seizure plan that family or school staff can follow.
Information sources
These sources support general information; they do not confirm our hospital’s services or clinical approval.
This information is general and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your own situation with your healthcare team.
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