Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes abnormal brain activity.  Epilepsy can affect different people in different ways but often causes seizures and other abnormal episodes of brain activity.  Some people may also experience these episodes more often than others.

Epilepsy can have several different causes including genetic conditions, head or brain trauma, prenatal injuries, and some infectious diseases.  However, in some people there seems to be no underlying cause.

The symptoms of epilepsy can vary in each person but symptoms can include:

• Seizures (there are many categories and types of seizures)
• Periods of loss of time or awareness
• Being unresponsive despite being fully conscious
• Inability to respond
• Loss of consciousness 
• Sudden and uncontrollable stiffening of the muscles of the neck or back
• Sudden and uncontrollable muscle spasms

The Board Certified Neurologists at OrthoNeuro have helped thousands of patients with epilepsy live an active and healthy lifestyle using a variety of treatment options.

How is Epilepsy Treated at OrthoNeuro?

In most cases, the Board Certified Neurologists at OrthoNeuro use a variety of anti-seizure (also called anti-epileptic) medications to treat epilepsy.  Medications and dosages are determined by your unique symptoms, lifestyle, and frequency of seizures. Your OrthoNeuro Neurologist will monitor your reaction to these medications and adjust dosages as needed until your symptoms are controlled.

If medications do not control epilepsy symptoms, there are surgical procedures that your OrthoNeuro Neurologist may discuss with you including vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation.