Epilepsy

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes clusters of nerve cells in your brain to send out the wrong signals. These signals trigger seizures that involve violent muscle spasms or the loss of consciousness.

For many, the root cause of epilepsy is unknown, but you may be at increased risk for the disorder due to underlying health issues, a brain injury, or abnormalities in the development of your brain.  

What are the symptoms of epilepsy?

The hallmark symptom of epilepsy is recurrent seizures. Epilepsy can cause a variety of seizure types, including:

Grand mal seizures

Grand mal seizures affect your entire brain and cause your muscles to become stiff before contracting and shaking uncontrollably.  You may lose consciousness and control of your bladder. During the seizure, you may also bite your cheeks or tongue or clench your jaw.

Petit mal seizures

Petit mal seizures affect your whole brain and may only last a few seconds. With this type of seizure, you may become unaware of your environment, be prone to staring spells, and suddenly stop moving or talking. You may also experience small changes in your muscle movements.

Focal seizures

Focal seizures affect only one part of your brain and the resulting symptoms vary based on where in your brain the seizure begins. You may experience symptoms like:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Hallucinations
• Staring spells
• Muscle contractions
• Unusual repetitive movements
• Changes in vision and other senses

Prior to the seizure, you may feel dizzy or experience emotional changes.

Symptoms of epilepsy need a medical evaluation by an experienced neurologist, like those at South Valley Neurology, as soon as possible to confirm your diagnosis. 

How is epilepsy treated?

After performing a comprehensive neurological exam, you may undergo diagnostic testing, such as an in-office electroencephalography (EEG) to evaluate your brain waves. 

The team at South Valley Neurology can confirm epilepsy by reviewing your medical history and conducting a neurological assessment. You may also need blood work and an MRI or other imaging test.

The providers create a treatment plan to prevent seizures and ensure you enjoy a high quality of life. Treatment for epilepsy often involves antiepileptic or anticonvulsant medications, depending on the type of seizures you have. The South Valley Neurology team carefully monitors your progress on medications to keep your seizures under control.

If medications aren’t working well for you, your South Valley Neurology provider may recommend surgery.

For expert epilepsy treatment, call South Valley Neurology today.