Listen to your Family Doctor on FITS

        Fits (Seizure) is one of the common problems seen in out-patient departments as well as casualties. Since time immemorial it has been associated with all kinds of myths and superstitions, resulting in non-treatment. Legally it was considered as mental illness, which further increased the social stigma.

       Seizures or fits are caused by abnormal synchronized electrical activity in some neuron of the brain. It spreads and seizes the brain completely and the affected person loses his senses for a short while, jerky movement of limbs along with up rolling of eyeballs, clenching of jaw, tongue bite and frothing from the mouth is also seen.

How would you know it?
      Symptom of fits can be varied; the most common being the generalized attack. In this type of fits the patient makes sudden cry, falls on the ground like a wooden log and turns blue. After 1-2 minutes he starts jerking all 4 limbs, which lasts for 2-5 minutes then the patient becomes limp and remains unconscious for 5-15 minutes and then recovers.
      He may bite his tongue; froth may come from his mouth and may pass urine or feaces in his clothes during the attack. In another variety of fits, patients become unresponsive for few seconds without falling or will develop abnormal behavior for few minutes. In children special type of seizures are seen, which are age dependent and improve on their own.

Things to do when seizures happen:

• Don’t push any hard object between the teeth
• Don’t try to restrain the patient
• Make the patient lie on the floor
• Remove dangerous objects from vicinity
• Turn him to one side with face down

When do you consult a doctor?
            When seizure lasts for more than 10 – 15 minutes, if patient gets more than 1 seizure at a time, if he doesn’t regain consciousness between the attacks. In these situations one must rush to the hospital.
What are the investigations needed?
            Apart from routine Biochemical & Haematological investigations, cranial imaging (C.T, MRI scan) and ECG are needed. In difficult cases SPECT or PET scan may be needed. Fits is an treatable condition and excellent response/cure can be achieved in 90 – 95% of cases.

Any more doubts? You can talk to Medwin, your family doctor.

        Medwin is one of the leading health care centers in the state. With 15 years of unmatched expertise, backed by advanced technology and continous research. Medwin has given health care in the state a new dimension. Today, it offers world-class medical services with personalized care, just like your family doctor.

• 40 departments of medicine
• State-of-the-art infrastructure
• 24 hr availability of specialists
• 24 hr emergency services
• Critical Care Management