Where Did the Spoon in Mouth Myth During a Seizure Come From?

Where did the spoon-in-mouth myth during a seizure come from? I always wondered where it came from. So I looked it up.

In medial writings from the 19th Century, people thought if you had a seizure you would swallow your tongue and a spoon could help prevent that from happening. It has been proven that it is impossible to swallow your tongue time and time again.

However, if a spoon is placed in someone's mouth, it can be dangerous. The person can lose or break their teeth. It can cause breathing issues and even death. Even though the myth has been debunked, it isn't widely known.

Safe seizure response does not involve spoons

Myth One: A spoon can prevent the person from swallowing their tongue

Fact: A person can't swallow their tongue. We've all heard the myth about swallowing our tongue during a seizure. We can't swallow our tongue during a seizure.

I have encountered several people who think that is normal protocol when someone has a seizure. That's when I must explain the seizure safety steps and what to do when a seizure occurs.

From a physiological standpoint, there are various reasons as to why we cannot swallow our tongue. Everything from the size, position, muscle tone, and shape of our tongue. Basically, our tongue is placed in our mouth, and we cannot physically swallow our tongue. When a seizure occurs, keeping anything out of the mouth is important.

Myth Two: Putting an object in the mouth can prevent injury

Fact: Putting an object like a spoon in someone's mouth during a seizure can cause injury.

The truth of the matter is no object should be placed in someone's mouth to prevent injury during a seizure. It won't prevent injury. It can, in fact, make it worse for the person having the seizure.

I haven't been through. I remember I was eating a sandwich once, and I went into a seizure. I was there with my parent, and he laid me on my side, but first, they made sure I did not have any food in my mouth (which I did not). And they allowed me to go through with the seizure.

Myth Three: Holding the spoon will help control the seizure

Fact: A seizure cannot be controlled by a spoon or other objects.

A spoon will not help control a seizure. The person can be a risk if any object is placed in someone's mouth during a seizure.

I had a seizure at my grandparent's house. My younger cousin saw my grandmother helping me post-seizure, and she asked her if she needed a spoon. My grandmother laughed and said no, you won't ever need a spoon or any object for a seizure.

Proper seizure safety is important during a seizure. Debunking seizure safety myths like the spoon in someone's mouth, putting objects in someone's mouth, or swallowing your tongue during a seizure can cause harm.