Daniel Wallen
Reporter
February 3, 2006
Folk dance students experienced a scare in the middle of their class Jan. 23 when nontraditional freshman Nadyne Sneyd had a seizure and collapsed to the ground.
“Nadyne was trying to figure out the dance steps just like the rest of us and the next minute she had hit the floor,” said freshman Kalee Nagel. “Then it was apparent that she was having a seizure.”
Fortunately, the students responded well. Sophomore Seth Harkins immediately dialed 911 on his cell phone while Doan attended to Sneyd.
“One minute I was talking to her and we were laughing and the next she was down on the ground experiencing convulsions,” said freshman Hali Sparks, Sneyd’s partner for the activity.
Sparks lessened the impact of the fall because she was holding onto Sneyd’s hands as she fell to the ground. “I think if I wasn't there to help her down she would have busted her head on the floor,” Sparks said.
After Sneyd collapsed to the floor, Sparks ran to get athletic trainer Erica Roggie. Sneyd continued to have violent convulsions for several minutes.
After the seizure ceased, Roggie and Dr. Linda Doan, professor of human performance and exercise, comforted Sneyd, giving her a sweater to use as a pillow.
“They also helped calm her down and collect her belongings so that she would be ready to leave in the ambulance,” Nagel said.
The ambulance arrived an estimated 5-10 minutes after the seizure began.
Doctors believe the seizure was a reaction to recently-subscribed medication that Sneyd was taking, according Doan.
"That's the first time I've been the one to be right there, but fortunately I knew what to do,” said Doan.
Ted Thomas, Sneyd’s mentor and associate professor of history and German, stayed with Sneyd in the hospital until she was released.
“She’s not supposed to drive for a while,” Thomas said, “so we’ve been trying to arrange for people to pick her up and take her back home.”
Sneyd returned to classes on Monday. Various Milligan faculty and students are giving her rides to and from school, Sneyd said.
Last week's seizure is Sneyd's second, the first occurring when she was pregnant with her son six years ago.
Sneyd will know more concerning her health status when she visits her neurologist.
Amanda Moore
Editor-in-Chief
February 3, 2006
A seizure occurs when one part of the brain suddenly receives an overwhelming amount of electrical signals from another part of the brain, interrupting normal electrical brain functions. In most common seizures, the person loses consciousness and the body starts convulsing.
Other symptoms or warning signs of a seizure include:
· twitching or numbness
· stiffening of the body
· breathing problems
· no response to noise or words
· appearing confused or in a daze
· sleepiness and irritability
· repeated nodding of the head
· staring and rapid blinking
The symptoms of a seizure may resemble other problems or medical conditions, so it is best to call for help even if you are familiar with seizures.
If a person near you has a seizure, follow this procedure:
· Look for an epilepsy wristband or other identifying jewelry.
· Call 911.
· Remove objects away from the person to prevent injury.
· Cushion the head to prevent it from hitting on the floor.
· Stay until extra help arrives.
· Do not restrain the person.
· Do not move the person until the seizure finishes.
· Do not put anything in the person’s mouth.
· Place the person on side after seizure finishes in order to help them breath and to remove any fluids from the mouth.
The person’s lips may turn blue around the edges during the seizure and breathing may become irregular. The person may lose control over his or her bladder and bowels.
“The most important thing to do if someone near you has a seizure is to make the area safe for that individual,” said clinic nurse Shannon Rowe. “Remove nearby objects such as desks and chairs with which they could injure themselves during the course of the seizure.”
Rowe also said not to restrain the person or put anything in the individual’s mouth. “Both of these acts could hurt the individual more than help,” she said. “You can attempt to place a pillow or soft object under the individual’s head if his or her head is striking the floor.”
After a minute or two, the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return. However, seizures cause extreme exhaustion and are usually followed by a period of sleep or disorientation.
In newborns and infants, seizures are triggered by birth trauma, congenital problems, fever and metabolic or chemical imbalances. In other ages, seizures are triggered by alcohol or drugs, head trauma, infection, brain tumor, neurological problems, drug withdrawal or new medications. However, sometimes the cause of a seizure cannot be determined.
“Seizures are frightening for everyone,” Rowe said. “Even those with medical training often find seizures unsettling because there is a lack of control over the situation.”
Rowe said seizures only stop when the cause resolves itself or when the patient receives the appropriate medications.
“When an individual has a seizure we can only make the area safe and contact emergency services,” Rowe said.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation’s website, 10 percent of the American population will experience a seizure in their lifetime and three percent will develop epilepsy by age 75.