Brooke Shields Opens Up About Seizure Ordeal During Solo Show
In a recent interview with Glamour, Brooke Shields revealed a shocking incident that occurred before her solo show in New York City. The renowned actor, supermodel, and author disclosed that she experienced a seizure, a medical event that sent her to the hospital. This was the first time Shields spoke publicly about the incident.
During the interview, Shields shared that the seizure happened one evening before her show, called Previously Owned by Brooke Shields, which ran from September 12-23. She recounted the terrifying episode, explaining that it unfolded while she was waiting for an Uber and drinking water. Despite people noticing that she appeared weird, Shields didn’t initially think there was anything wrong.
As she continued on to a restaurant, restaurant staff approached her before she suddenly lost consciousness, resulting in a full-blown grand mal seizure. Shields described the harrowing experience, saying, Everything starts to go black. Then my hands drop to my side and I go headfirst into the wall. During the seizure, she exhibited various symptoms such as frothing at the mouth, attempting to swallow her tongue, and turning blue.
Following the incident, Shields was loaded into an ambulance where she regained consciousness. Fellow actor Bradley Cooper accompanied her to a local hospital, where doctors informed her that she had consumed excessive amounts of water and had low sodium levels. Shields explained, I flooded my system and I drowned myself. And if you don’t have enough sodium in your blood or urine or your body, you can have a seizure.
A grand mal seizure, also known as a tonic-clonic seizure, affects both sides of the brain and is a major generalized seizure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The seizure causes an individual to lose consciousness, cry out, fall to the ground, or experience muscle spasms or jerks.
Hyponatremia, which occurs when the sodium levels in the blood are abnormally low, can lead to swelling due to water moving into cells. This condition can be caused by other underlying medical conditions, certain medications, or excessive water intake. Symptoms may include nausea, headaches, confusion, weakness, or, in severe cases, seizures.
In case someone around you exhibits symptoms of a grand mal seizure, the CDC advises gently placing them on the floor and turning them to one side to assist with breathing. Ensuring that the immediate area is free from objects that could cause harm, such as hard or sharp objects, and providing a soft item under the person seizing can be helpful. It is recommended to remove eyeglasses and loosen any constrictive objects around the neck. If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, it is advisable to call 911.
Brooke Shields’ openness about her seizure ordeal sheds light on the dangers of hyponatremia and the serious nature of seizures. Her experience serves as a reminder to be mindful of water intake and sodium levels to prevent potentially life-threatening situations.
