Head Injury During a Seizure

If the person hits his or her head while falling, his or her post-seizure condition should be carefully monitored. Although sleepiness and confusion are natural consequences of a seizure, it should always be possible to rouse the person without difficulty. A person who fails to return to consciousness after a seizure needs further medical assessment. If head injury is a possibility, the person should be closely observed for the following signs:

• Difficulty in maintaining consciousness (an observer should try to waken the person at 20-minute intervals)
• Vomiting
• Vision problems
• Excessive sleepiness two hours or more after the seizure (unless, of course, the seizure has occurred late in the day and the person’s usual bedtime is approaching)

If any of these signs are observed, or if the patient has a persistent headache after a rest period, unconsciousness with failure to respond, unequal pupil size or excessively dilated pupils, or weakness of the limbs, immediate medical attention is essential.