Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes recurring, unpredictable seizures — sudden, abnormal surges of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can produce a variety of symptoms, which vary from person to person.
Some people may lose consciousness and experience intense muscle spasms, while others may have momentary spells where they pause and stare into space. The type of symptoms experienced depends on where the seizure originates in the brain and how the surge in electrical activity spreads throughout the brain.
Causes and risk factors for epilepsy
The underlying causes of epilepsy are diverse, and in some cases the cause can’t be identified. Some common causes include:
- Genetic disorders
- Brain injuries
- Strokes or loss of oxygen to the brain
- Central nervous system infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Brain tumors
Diagnosing and treating epilepsy
In addition to reviewing your medical history and conducting a neurological exam, your doctor may use a number of tests to diagnose epilepsy. Those tests may include:
Learn more about types of neurological testing and evaluation.
Treatment for epilepsy typically involves a combination of approaches to control and manage seizures, with the goal of helping you lead a full and active life.
Our team of neurologists will provide a tailored treatment plan based on the type of seizure you are experiencing, their frequency, your overall health and any underlying causes. Your treatment plan may include:
- Anti-seizure medications (antiepileptic drugs or AEDs). Medications are the most common and often the first-line treatment for epilepsy. They can help prevent or stop seizures by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain. It may take time to find the most effective medication and dosage because individual responses to particular drugs vary.
- Diet modifications. In some cases, specialized diets, such as a ketogenic diet or modified Atkins diet, that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates, may help people control seizures.
- Lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle changes can help manage epilepsy. These may include getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoiding known seizure triggers and taking medications as prescribed.
- Surgery. For people with a form of epilepsy that does not respond to other treatments, surgery may be considered. This can involve implanting a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) device under the skin in the chest. A VNS device reduces or eliminates seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain, similar to how a pacemaker for the heart works. VNS can be used in conjunction with medication to lessen the risk of complications from severe or recurrent seizures. More complex surgical treatments may involve removing the area of the brain where seizures originate (if it’s in a nonessential region), disconnecting the part of the brain causing seizures, directly stimulating the area of the brain where seizures originate, or stimulating the deep structures in the brain to modify the seizure networks.