can you die from an epileptic fit?

Question

very long story [sorry]

Answer 1

I suppose it depends on where you are at the time.
I mean, consider mountain climbing with out a safety rope!!!

Answer 2

ok...firstly, its a seizure, not a fit. Sorry...pet peeve. And the answer is yes, its possible but unusual. Many people stop breathing when they seizure so there is always a chance of asphixiation but most continue to breathe. Also, people with Drop Seizures can hit their heads when they fall, so that can be a fatalaty but not really the seizure causing the death but injury. People who have seizures frequently that last more than a few minutes can develop brain damage, and eventually get to the point where the brain no longer functions. There is something called "status epilepticus" which is when a siezure has lasted more than 15 minutes and thats when they become life threatening and the person needs immediate medical attention. Everyone with a seizure disorder has a different protocall to follow when they seize, some require meds right away, some have a waiting period, and some have a 911 order the minute they start due to a history of haveing been in status, or heart problems, or age, and others just let it ride till its over and continue on with their day. Hope this helped.

edit - i just read up on some answers and had to say this. You CAN NOT swallow your tongue in a seizure or in any other situation. NEVER put something in the mouth of a person in a seizure.

Answer 3

Almost impossible unless you are alone and have no help,
then you may fall off a cliff. However in this case the cause
of death would be the fall and not the fit. If you have this problem
stay on medication all the time, see your doctor at least every
two months and do not do a bungee jump nor any other scary
rides, roller coaster etc.

Answer 4

Hello, yes you can. My boyfriend has seizures due to epilepsy. He has quit breathing on several occations. We had a friend that had an epileptic fit and went into a coma and died several days later. I hope whoever you are talking about is on medication to help.

Answer 5

I had a friend in college that had grad mal seizures and he was on meds to help stop them. He could have died the one time from a seizure because he wasn't taking his meds, and he just kept convulsing. He had a chanced to choke to death on vomit, but luckily we were able to help him out and he survived.

Another thing is, a lot of people think that you should stick things in the persons mouth but that could also kill the person, the best thing to do for a convulsing person is roll them on there side and talk to them, just so they know someone is there. Also 911 helps out a lot to. If you don't know what to do there are courses out there that can teach you.

Answer 6

NO! only the surrounding enviroment can kill someone taking a fit also if someone is taking a fit hold there head when they are laying on the ground and put something soft under their head
(p.s qualified nars first aid and sta lifeguard)

Answer 7

Epilepsy is rarely fatal in itself, but there is a syndrome called Status Epilepticus, in which I went from one attack to another. It would have been fatal except for the devoted paramedics and the doctor who fought to knock me out, and then revive me 3 days later.
I hope you do not experience this.

Answer 8

Not from the fit itself, but from complications - such as resticted breathing, knocks to the head etc. Have a read of this, it also details triggers and treatments:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy

Answer 9

Yes you can. Several members of my family suffer from it. I'm sure my grandmother died as a result of it. The biggest danger is where you and what you are doing when it happens

Answer 10

Sure, you can choke or hit your head, or if you drop in traffic...many ways.

Supposed to lie they victim on their side in the recovery position and protect their head, but don't hold them down or ever put anything in their mouth, call 911.