Can you swallow your tongue during a seizure

Methods: A medical and popular literature review was conducted for the allusions to "swallowing one's tongue" and practice recommendations for and against placing objects into a seizing person's mouth. Current prevalence of these beliefs and relevant anatomy and physiology were summarised. Results: The first English language allusions to placing objects in a patient's mouth occurred in the midth century, and the first allusions to swallowing one's tongue during a seizure occurred in the late 19th century.

By the midth century, it was clear that some were recommending against the practice of placing objects in a patient's mouth to prevent harm. Learn more here. Epilepsy is a fairly common neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. In this article, learn about the different types of epilepsy…. Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures. It is relatively common in children. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatments here. Can you swallow your tongue? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.

Is it possible? Choking Oral injury First aid for seizures First aid for head injuries Seeking help Summary It is not possible to swallow the tongue.

Why it is impossible to swallow the tongue. Can you choke on your tongue? Oral injuries. First aid for seizures. First aid for head injuries. When to seek help. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Read this next. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Seizures vs. Seizure Disorders. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. Absence Epilepsy Petit Mal Seizures. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.

Benign Rolandic Epilepsy Overview. Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M. Photosensitive Epilepsy Overview. Overview of Atypical Absence Seizures. Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M. Fact: Epilepsy is an umbrella term covering many types of seizure and epileptic disorders.

It is a functional, physical problem, not a mental one, and it has many unidentifiable causes. Fact: They often can, and they do. Most professions — including those in the highest tiers of business, government, justice system, sports and medicine — can accommodate a person with epilepsy.

Fact: A person is unconscious and not in any pain during most seizures. Afterward, the patient could feel discomfort if he or she falls down, has muscle aches or if he or she bit their tongue during a grand mal seizure. Fact: Epilepsy is most common in both the very young and the elderly.