How do doctors treat seizures?
Treatments include: medicines called anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) surgery to remove a small part of the brain that's causing the seizures. a procedure to put a small electrical device inside the body that can help control seizures.
How do hospitals treat seizures?
Antiseizure medicine may be used to treat a seizure lasting longer than five minutes or for multiple seizures. For a person with epilepsy, a Dignity Health neurologist will prescribe medications to prevent or reduce the frequency of seizures. For more severe conditions, electrical stimulation or surgery may be needed.
What is the most effective treatment for seizure?
Medication. Most people with epilepsy can become seizure-free by taking one anti-seizure medication, which is also called anti-epileptic medication. Others may be able to decrease the frequency and intensity of their seizures by taking a combination of medications.
What is the first line treatment for seizure?
For generalised tonic-clonic seizures, sodium valproate is recommended as first-line treatment. If this is unsuitable, lamotrigine is recommended. Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine can be considered as alternatives.
Do seizures show up on MRI?
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy uses an MRI machine to analyze the molecular components of tissue in a particular area of the brain. This helps doctors differentiate a seizure from another condition, such as a metabolic disorder, tumor, or stroke.
Do all seizures show up on EEG?
A normal EEG does not mean that you did not have a seizure. Approximately one-half of all EEGs done for patients with seizures are interpreted as normal. Even someone who has seizures every week can have a normal EEG test. This is because the EEG only shows brain activity during the time of the test.
Does a neurologist treat seizures?
You'll want work with an epileptologist—a neurologist who focuses on epilepsy treatment. These doctors can help if your seizures are difficult to diagnose or do not respond to standard therapy. They often work in hospitals, group or private practices, or specialized epilepsy centers.
What can trigger a seizure?
12 most common seizure triggersMissing medication. The most common reason for a seizure is forgetting to take your anti-epileptic drugs (AED) or deliberately not taking it. ... Alcohol. ... Recreational drugs. ... Caffeine. ... Lack of sleep / tiredness. ... Stress / anxiety. ... Boredom. ... Dehydration.More items...•
How do neurologists treat epilepsy?
It is the neurologist who will generally diagnose epilepsy, and prescribe and start any treatment, such as medication. You might continue to see a neurologist while trying to get your seizures controlled, and you might also have ongoing regular reviews of your epilepsy with a neurologist.
What is the most common medication for seizures?
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, including:Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)Valproic acid (Depakene)Oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal)Lamotrigine (Lamictal)Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin)Topiramate (Topamax)Phenobarbital.More items...•
Is seizure the same as epilepsy?
A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.
What are the most common side effects of anti seizures medication?
Some of the more common seizure medication side effects include:Feeling tired and drowsy.Feeling agitated (nervous or jumpy)Headaches.Nausea (feeling like you're going to be sick)Shaking and tremors.Hypersensitivity (being strongly affected by noise or light)Hair loss.Weight gain.More items...•