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Neuroscience Institute epilepsy specialists strive to provide the highest level of seizure control and functional ability possible for each patient. State-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for adult and pediatric epilepsy
Epilepsy has many causes including tumors, strokes and brain damage from illness or injury; In many cases there may be no detectable cause. The Neuroscience Institute's Epilepsy Clinic has the resources to treat and diagnose your disorder from focal to generalized seizures.
Specialists at the Epilepsy Clinic treat adults and children. Our goal is to obtain the highest level of seizure control and functional ability for the patient with a seizure disorder. Our comprehensive team approach may include consultations with neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuropsychologists, as well as various diagnostic tests (i.e. EEG, MRI, PET, SPECT and Wada, neurocognitive testing). Additionally, the center has a state-of-the-art EEG video-telemetry inpatient monitoring unit to aid in the diagnosis of seizure type and focus for optimal treatment of the patient. Treatments may include medication management, and in appropriate situations, surgical intervention.
Click here to see a list of our epilepsy providers.
A seizure occurs when part of the brain receives a burst of abnormal electrical signals that temporarily interrupts normal electrical brain function. There are a range of focal and generalized seizures.
Focal seizures happen when abnormal electrical brain function occurs in one or more areas of one side of the brain. They are also called partial seizures. A person may experience an aura or a strange feeling consisting of visual changes, hearing abnormalities or changes in the sense of smell before the seizure occurs. There are two types of focal seizures: simple and complex.
Generalized seizures occur on both sides of the brain. There is a loss of consciousness and a postical state following the seizure. There are six types of generalized seizures:
The exact cause of a seizure may not be known, and a person may experience from one to many seizures. The following are some common causes:
In newborns and infants:
In children, adolescents and adults:
Other possible seizure causes may include:
A person may have varying degrees of symptoms depending on the type of seizure. The following are common symptoms or warning signs:
During a seizure, a person’s lips may become bluish and breathing may not be normal, followed by a period of sleepiness or disorientation. Consult a doctor for a proper seizure diagnosis.
Specific treatment for seizures will depend on a number of factors, such as age, overall health, medical history, extent of the condition, etc. The goal of treatment is to control, stop or decrease the frequency of the seizures without affecting normal activities of daily living. These are some common seizure management goals:
Treatment may include: