Beyond Seizures: Detecting and Managing Epilepsy
Epilepsy can cause seizures, during which you may convulse and lose control of your body. Or you may fall into staring spells and become unresponsive. Uncovering the source of epilepsy helps you get the treatment you need for maximum quality of life.听
鈥淪eizures can be a very scary thing for people and their families,鈥 says Robert McInnis, M.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and assistant attending neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. 鈥淗owever, there are a lot of new technologies we use to diagnose patients and help bring them back to normal function and quality of life.鈥听
Could It Be Epilepsy?听
By the time most patients contact Dr. McInnis, 迟丑别测鈥檝别 had multiple seizure-like events. Dr. McInnis then has to determine if the events are truly seizures. If so, are those seizures caused by epilepsy?听
Answering these questions may require the following:听
- Discussion of symptoms. You give a detailed history of your seizure symptoms. Your provider also talks with loved ones who witness the events.听
- EEG. An electroencephalographic (EEG) measures your brain鈥檚 electrical activity. Prior to the test, a provider places a series of electrodes on your scalp. As you lie still, the electrodes send information about your brain activity to a computer. This data helps your provider determine if you鈥檙e at risk for future seizures. If so, you鈥檙e diagnosed with epilepsy.听
- Laboratory tests. Diabetes, infection, anemia and other conditions can cause seizures. Your provider may run blood tests to rule these conditions out.听
- MRI. Brain tumors, , traumatic brain injury and other abnormalities can result in seizures. A brain MRI can help detect the cause and the specific type of seizure. With this information, your provider can prescribe appropriate treatment.听
Beyond Seizures听
Though seizures are a telltale sign of epilepsy, they鈥檙e not the only symptom. According to the , different types of epilepsy may also cause the following:听
- Changes in emotions听
- Feelings of d茅j脿 vu听
- Muscle weakness听
- Nausea听
- Smelling or tasting something unusual听
- Visual hallucinations听
Epilepsy Care Options听听
Epilepsy can be debilitating or fatal if not managed properly. Thankfully, there are many effective ways to treat the disease.听听
鈥淢edications are the mainstay of people who have epilepsy,鈥 Dr. McInnis says. 鈥Two-thirds of patients who develop epilepsy get their seizures under control with medications, diet or a combination.鈥听
If you try two medications and continue to seizures, surgery may be necessary. Epilepsy surgery options include:听
- Device placement. The surgeon places a small electrical device under your skin. This device sends electrical pulses to the area causing seizures to stop the seizures.听
- Source removal. With focal seizures, a single area inside the brain causes seizures. By removing this area, the surgeon either stops seizures altogether or reduces their frequency.听
Real-Time Seizure Care听听
When someone has a seizure, stay nearby. Take away sharp objects, help the person lie on their side instead of their back and time the seizure.听听
鈥Seizures often stop on their own within a couple minutes,鈥 Dr. McInnis says. 鈥If a seizure persists for more than five minutes, call 911.鈥听
Do you suspect you or someone you love has had a seizure? Find a doctor at 麻豆传媒高清版 who can provide a clear diagnosis.听