Can epileptic seizures be prevented before they occur?

Generally, if obvious warning signs appear before a seizure, it may be possible to prevent it in advance; however, if the pre-seizure symptoms are not apparent, prevention may not be feasible. Epilepsy patients are advised to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital. Analysis is as follows:

Precursors to epileptic seizures are a series of symptoms or signs that appear before a seizure occurs. Some patients may experience distinct warning signs before a seizure, such as sensory abnormalities, mood swings, visual hallucinations, or olfactory disturbances. If patients can recognize and become familiar with these precursors, and take immediate action when they occur, seizures may sometimes be prevented.

However, epilepsy is characterized by paroxysmal episodes, meaning symptoms appear suddenly without warning and return to normal after a period of time. The duration of an episode is usually short, lasting only a few seconds or minutes. Some patients may not exhibit obvious prodromal symptoms, making it difficult to effectively intervene during the pre-seizure phase.

When a person shows signs of an impending epileptic seizure, bystanders should remain calm, move the individual to a flat surface, loosen their collar and belt, and ensure the airway remains unobstructed.