Brain 101 for Kids · Lesson 4

What is a seizure?

Sometimes lots of the brain's messengers talk all at once. That is called a seizure (say: SEE-zhur). Seizures can look surprising, but most stop on their own in a few minutes, and there are simple ways to help.

What happens in the brain?

Usually, your neurons take turns sending signals, like friends talking politely one at a time. During a seizure, a big group of neurons sends signals all at the same time, like a sudden electrical storm. While the storm is happening, that part of the brain can't do its usual jobs for a little while. Then the storm passes and the brain goes back to normal.

What can a seizure look like?

There are different kinds of seizures. A person might:

• Shake or go stiff all over. They may fall and not be able to answer you.
• Stare for a few seconds, as if their brain pressed pause. They might not notice it happened.
• Twitch in one part of the body, like a hand or the face, or have a strange feeling.

Afterwards, a person may feel tired, confused or need a nap. That is normal, and they get better with rest.

Kids with epilepsy go to school, play sports, make art, have sleepovers and dream big, just like everyone else. Sometimes they take medicine to help keep the storms away.

How you can help: Stay, Safe, Side

• Stay with the person and call a grown-up right away. A grown-up should time how long the seizure lasts.
• Safe: move hard or sharp things away and put something soft under their head. Never put anything in their mouth, and don't hold them down.
• Side: when the shaking stops, gently help them roll onto their side so they can breathe easily. Stay with them until they are fully awake.