Seizures Specialist

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in your brain that affects your appearance, behavior, or movement for a short time. Different types of seizures cause varying symptoms. 

Generalized seizures

Generalized seizures affect both sides of your brain. Absence (petit mal) and tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures are two prevalent types of generalized seizures. 

During an absence seizure, you may experience symptoms including rapid blinking or staring into space. A tonic-clonic seizure can cause you to lose consciousness, fall to the ground, and have convulsive spasms or jerking muscles. 

Secondary generalized seizures begin as focal seizures and spread to both sides of your brain. 

Focal seizures

Focal seizures affect one side of your brain and include simple and complex focal seizures. Focal seizures cause symptoms including twitching, abnormal tastes or smells, or mental confusion. 

What causes seizures?

Many health issues and injuries can trigger seizures. You could have a congenital brain defect, meningitis or another brain infection, a tumor, or a brain injury that causes irregular electrical activity in your brain. 

Other health issues that can trigger seizures include kidney or liver failure, deficient blood glucose levels, and severe hypertension. Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can also cause a seizure.

Epilepsy is often misunderstood as a disease that causes seizures. Instead, epilepsy is another way to say seizure disorder. The doctors at Bromley Neurology PC diagnose epilepsy when you have two unprovoked attacks and the likelihood of more. 

How is the cause of seizures diagnosed?

The cause of seizures can be challenging to diagnose, as your doctor can’t monitor your brain activity at the time. However, the doctors at Bromley Neurology PC provide comprehensive exams and testing to learn about your condition.

After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, your doctor orders lab tests to check for electrolyte imbalances and toxicity that could cause a seizure. They also use an electroencephalogram (EEG) to study the electrical activity in your brain. 

MRIs and CT scans can provide valuable information about your brain to identify tumors or blocked blood vessels that could contribute to your symptoms. 

How are seizures treated?

Your doctor creates a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs. While medication to reduce your chances of having a seizure is a common approach, your doctor may also recommend:

• Infusion therapy
• Deep brain stimulation
• Nutrition changes
• Supplements
• Surgery 
  
  

Call Bromley Neurology PC or make an appointment online today if you’ve had a seizure and need help or if you’re looking for expert neurological care for a seizure disorder.