This is a list of ailments and conditions that may affect you or your family at certain stages of life. Here you will find information such as the symptoms, and the best way to relieve the situation until a medical professional has been called.
Convulsions result from a sudden disturbance of brain function. Brain cells discharge electrical impulses to muscles, which then contract or go into spasm.
Convulsions usually last only for a few minutes, and afterwards the child may be drowsy.
Always call your doctor or ambulance the first time your child has convulsions or if convulsions last for more than five minutes. Sometimes hospital investigation is necessary to find the cause.
Causes of convulsions:
Rapid rise in temperature (febrile or feverish convulsions)
Low blood sugar
Low calcium levels
Head injury
Breath-holding when a child is injured or angry
Epilepsy
Symptoms include:
Stiff jerky movements in arms and legs
The child may loses consciousness for a few minutes during which she may wet herself
The child goes limp for a few minutes
Staring without blinking
Momentary stop in breathing – the decrease in oxygen will turn the skin a bluish colour
If your child has a convulsion:
Try not to panic
Stay with her
Don’t put anything in her mouth – biting the tongue is rare, and you may break her teeth
Move potentially harmful objects out of the way
Lay her on her side in the recovery position with her head tilted back slightly so that her airway is clear
If you can, note down how long the convulsion lasts
Try and get her temperature down
When the fit has passed, call your doctor or take your child to hospital
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