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Seizures and Fits — What to Do and What Causes Them
Also described as fits, convulsions, epileptic attack.
During a seizure, move objects away, cushion the head, turn the person onto their side, and do not put anything in the mouth. Call 044 2025 2025 if it lasts over five minutes, repeats without recovery, or is a first seizure. Most epilepsy is well controlled with medication.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •A seizure lasting more than five minutes — call emergency services
- •A second seizure before consciousness returns
- •A first seizure at any age
- •Seizure with fever and a stiff neck
- •Seizure after a head injury, or in pregnancy
What causes seizures?
Epilepsy
Recurrent unprovoked seizures. Over 70% of patients become seizure-free on medication.
Low blood sugar
Particularly in people on diabetes medication. Rapidly reversible once identified.
Brain tumour
A new seizure in an adult is one of the reasons imaging is arranged promptly.
Stroke
Both a cause of acute seizures and of epilepsy developing later.
Alcohol withdrawal or infection
Seizures during withdrawal, or with meningitis and high fever.
How it is investigated
- ✓EEG, sometimes with sleep deprivation or video telemetry
- ✓MRI brain
- ✓Blood sugar, sodium, calcium and kidney function
- ✓Lumbar puncture where infection is suspected
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do while someone is having a seizure?▼
Keep them safe rather than restrain them. Clear hard objects away, cushion the head, and once the jerking stops turn them onto their side. Never force anything into the mouth. Time the seizure — beyond five minutes, call emergency services.
Does one seizure mean epilepsy?▼
Not necessarily. Epilepsy means a tendency to recurrent unprovoked seizures. A single seizure with a clear provocation — low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, severe sleep deprivation — may not recur. A first seizure still needs an EEG and MRI to assess the risk.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.