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After having one seizure, you have a 50-50 chance of having a second one within six months. If you have a second seizure without a medical cause, the neurology experts at Dayton Center for Neurological Disorders (DCND) in Dayton, Ohio, work closely with Kettering Brain and Spine to provide state-of-the-art epilepsy care. Both our epileptologists see patients at that location. Don’t wait to seek their specialized care because they can help you prevent future seizures.
Epilepsy Q & A
What is epilepsy?
You’re diagnosed with epilepsy when you have two or more seizures that weren’t triggered by a medical condition. Nonepileptic seizures are caused by conditions such as:
- Stroke
- High fever
- Brain tumor
- Traumatic brain injury
- Central nervous system infection
- Certain medications
- Autoimmune disorders
- Blood vessel conditions in the brain
- Inflammatory brain condition
- Substance abuse
Seizures occur when abnormal electrical activity suddenly surges through your brain. The chaotic nerve activity causes sensory disturbances and changes in your behavior and movements. Some seizures (but not all) make you lose consciousness.
What symptoms does epilepsy cause?
Seizures are the primary symptom of epilepsy. However, there are different types of seizures with varying symptoms.
The classic seizure portrayed in the movies occurs when you lose consciousness, fall down, and have full-body spasms. But some seizures have such minor symptoms they go unnoticed.
You may have one or more of the following symptoms during a seizure:
- Brief muscle twitches
- Whole body spasms
- Jerking movements in one body part
- Subtle movements (eye blinking, lip smacking)
- Repetitive movements (rubbing your hands, swallowing)
- Limp muscles
- Rigid muscles
- Inability to move
- Loss of consciousness
- Blanking out or staring
- Confusion
- Difficulty talking
- Sensory symptoms (seeing flashing lights, smelling something that’s not there, tingling)
Most seizures last less than two minutes. If your seizure lasts more than five minutes, you need immediate emergency attention.
How is epilepsy treated?
Your Dayton Center for Neurological Disorders provider reviews your medical history and seizure symptoms, does a thorough physical and neurological exam, and runs blood tests. They also perform an electroencephalogram (EEG), which shows brain waves reflecting a seizure.
Epilepsy treatment primarily depends on anti-seizure medications. These medications control your seizures by changing the electrical activity in neurons.
In addition to medication, your provider may help you identify activities that trigger your seizures, such as flashing lights, stress, certain noises, and insomnia.
If medications don’t help, you may need to try a high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. Your provider may also discuss surgical interventions, such as implanting a device that stops seizures by releasing mild electrical impulses.
If you have seizures and need the exceptional care provided by the experts at Dayton Center for Neurological Disorders, you should call Kettering Brain and Spine to book an appointment.