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Epilepsy affects over 65 million people worldwide and is characterized by recurrent seizures. These sudden and unpredictable episodes can significantly impact an individual’s daily life, affecting their physical, emotional, and social well-being. With such a prevalent condition that can strike at any moment, finding effective epileptic seizure treatment options is crucial for those living with epilepsy.
In this blog, we will explore various treatments available today for epileptic seizures and where you go for the best treatment for epilepsy.
Understanding Epileptic Seizures and Their Causes
Epileptic seizures happen when there are sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain, which can lead to symptoms like muscle spasms or even passing out. These seizures can occur randomly, making them tough to manage.
Different factors can cause epilepsy, such as genetic conditions, brain injuries, infections, and developmental disorders. Knowing what causes your epilepsy can help you find the best treatment.
Types of Seizures
There are various types of seizures, and each one affects the brain differently. Understanding these types is important for getting the right treatment.
Generalized Seizures
These seizures affect both sides of the brain:
- Tonic-clonic seizures (once called grand mal) cause muscle stiffness and shaking.
- Absence seizures (once called petit mal) make you briefly lose consciousness and stare blankly.
Focal Seizures
These start in one area of the brain:
- Simple focal seizures affect a small part of the brain, causing twitching or odd sensations.
- Complex focal seizures make you feel confused or dazed, leaving you unable to respond for a while.
Epileptic Seizure Treatments
Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for epileptic seizures.
Medications
Epilepsy is often treated with anti-epileptic medications. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) help control seizures for most people by calming the brain’s electrical activity.
Each drug works differently, so finding the right one might take some trial and error. Common AEDs include:
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Valproate (Depakote)
Different medications are suited for different seizure types. Neurologists consider factors like age, overall health, and seizure type before prescribing medication.
Surgical Treatments
If medication doesn’t work well, surgery might be an option. This involves removing or changing the part of the brain causing seizures. Common surgeries include lobectomy, removing a part of the brain, and lesionectomy, removing a specific area causing seizures.
Surgery can significantly help, but it has risks like infection and memory changes.
Alternative Treatments
There are also many alternative treatments you can try for relief from epileptic seizures.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
VNS involves a small device that sends electrical signals to a nerve in the neck to reduce seizures. It’s an option for those with epilepsy who don’t respond well to medication or surgery.
Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet is high in fats and low in carbs. It can reduce seizures in some people, especially children. This diet should be followed with a neurologist’s supervision.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
Sleep and Stress Management
Getting enough sleep and managing stress are essential to prevent epileptic seizure treatment. Lack of sleep and high stress can trigger seizures, so prioritize self-care.
Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet can impact seizure control. Some people find success with a ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates.
Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity can improve overall health and reduce stress, which may help manage epileptic seizures.
Finding a Neurologist in Farmington Hills, MI
Start by searching online for neurologists in your area. Look at the qualifications of the neurologists. See if they have special certificates, how many years they have worked, and if they have extra training for certain neurological problems.
Ask for Recommendations
Request a list of suggested neurologists from your primary doctor. You can also ask family, friends, or other doctors for advice based on their experiences.
Think About Experience
Neurological issues like epilepsy can be complicated, so it’s important to find a neurologist with lots of experience in treating seizures. If you have a specific problem, ask how many patients with similar issues they have treated.
Evaluate Their Communication Style
Choose a neurologist who makes you feel at ease and listens to your concerns. During your first meeting, pay attention to how they answer your questions and explain epileptic seizure treatment options.
Read Patient Reviews
Look for online reviews from patients who have seen the neurologist for epilepsy. These reviews can tell you about the doctor’s approach, typical wait times, office environment, and how friendly the staff is to patients.
Check Insurance Coverage
Knowing your insurance details is important when looking for effective and affordable epileptic seizure treatment. Contact your insurance company to make sure the neurologist is covered, which will help with costs.
Consider Location and Office Hours
Think about where the neurologist’s office is and if their hours fit your schedule. This is important for convenience and ongoing epileptic seizure treatment.
Epileptic Seizure Treatment Near Me in Farmington Hills, MI
At Associates in Neurology, our team of neurology experts is dedicated to providing the highest quality care. Our board-certified neurologists use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat neurological conditions, including epilepsy.
If you’re ready to take control of your epilepsy, contact us today at (248) 478-5512 or request an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
