When most people think about seizures, they imagine a person convulsing. However, seizures can look different for different people. One manifestation of a seizure simply looks like a blank stare that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. The individual may appear to look right through you. They may or may not blink. This is often, but not always, accompanied by a loss of awareness. Seizures accompanied by blank stares are usually absence seizures, which are common in children. In many cases, these seizures don't cause long-term problems. Atonic seizures involve sudden loss of muscle strength, which can cause the person to fall to the ground. The person's muscles will go limp, causing a sudden drop. These seizures usually last less than 15 seconds. The person usually remains conscious during the seizure. A person with atonic seizures may not always fall down. The drop could affect just the head, just the eyelids, or just one part of the body. Seizure activity may cause a person to blank out and lose anywhere from a few moments to a few minutes of awareness. In some cases, a seizure may even cause the person to pass out and lose consciousness completely. If a person does not revive within a matter of a few minutes, seek emergency medical attention. Loss of consciousness may last 10-20 seconds, followed by muscle convulsions that usually last for under 2 minutes. This is usually caused by a grand mal seizure. The most recognizable seizure symptom is shaking, jerking, and convulsing. This can range from very mild and hardly perceptible, to quite violent and severe. When you or someone with you experiences seizure-like symptoms, it is important to write all them down, including their duration. Since doctors are not usually present at the time of a seizure, it can make seizures difficult to diagnose. The more information you can provide a doctor, the better they can help determine the type of seizure that has been experienced, and the possible cause. If you or someone with you experiences seizure-like symptoms for the first time, call a doctor and possibly visit the emergency room. If the person has already been diagnosed with epilepsy, medical care may not always be necessary. Seek immediate medical care if: A seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. A second seizure occurs immediately. You have trouble breathing after the seizure stops. You are unconscious after the seizure. You have a fever over 103F (39C). You are pregnant, or recently had a baby. You have been diagnosed with diabetes. You have sustained an injury during the seizure.
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One-sentence summary -- Notice a blank stare. Watch for a sudden loss of muscle strength. Notice a loss of awareness or consciousness. Recognize jerking movements or shaking of the arms and legs. Record the symptoms. Seek medical attention.

Feverfew contains anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmotic compounds and works to reduce inflammation. This may dilate the constricted blood vessels that may be underlying migraine pain. Feverfew is well-known for treating the pain of migraines, and reducing their frequency. If you are allergic or have any sensitivities to any plant in the aster family, you should not use feverfew. Feverfew should not be used if you have a bleeding disorder or before surgery unless under the advice of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner. This is one of the best studied herbs and shown to be effective at treating migraines. It works much the same way as feverfew, by reducing inflammation. Butterbur should not be used if you have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. These are often recommended by naturopathic physicians. Willow bark acts like a sort of natural aspirin, without the side effects. Skullcap appears to increase local levels of oxygen in the blood and ginkgo functions as an anti-oxidant and protects brain cells. Place essential oils such as chamomile, mint, rosemary, lemon balm, or lavender into a diffuser at the first sign of a headache. These can help you relax and feel less anxious. Note that lemon balm should not be used by anyone with thyroid problems. You can use tea leaves, or purchase a tincture, which is an extract of these herbs, from a nutritional or health food store. Drink 1 or 2 cups at the first sign of a headache.
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One-sentence summary -- Take 25 to 75mg of feverfew twice a day. Take 50 to 75mg of butterbur twice a day. Try willow bark, skullcap, or ginkgo biloba. Diffuse essential oils. Make a tea that includes any or all of these herbs.

You can create an alternative outdoor litter box for cats by using a new or old sandbox that is at least as big as a large litter box. Fill it with soft, fine-grained sand (this can be bought by the bag at hardware and home supply stores), which cats find especially attractive. With luck, cats will be drawn to the sandbox instead of your garden and use it much as they would a litterbox. Make sure to scoop the sandbox regularly; if it gets too full, cats may return to using your yard. Keep children away from the cat sandbox, and make sure they understand not to play in it. If you want to keep cats out of your garden, but don't mind them being in other areas of your yard, then try making a cat-friendly area. Cats will be attracted to areas covered by certain plants, and hopefully leave the rest of your yard alone. Create a small plot and grow one or more of the following non-toxic plants in it: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) Cat thyme (Teucrium marum) Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Spider-plant (Chlorophytum comosum) If you have a bird feeder near your garden, move it to another area of your yard that is further away. Ideally, you should hang the bird feeder in an area that is too high for a cat to jump to. Otherwise, a bird that visits for a meal might be in more danger than your garden ever was.
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One-sentence summary --
Make a cat sandbox. Attract cats to a cat garden. Move your bird feeder.