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Epilepsy can cause seizures, during which you may convulse and lose control of your body. Or you may fall into staring spells and become unresponsive. Uncovering the source of epilepsy helps you get the treatment you need for maximum quality of life.��

“Seizures can be a very scary thing for people and their families,” says Robert McInnis, M.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and assistant attending neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “However, there are a lot of new technologies we use to diagnose patients and help bring them back to normal function and quality of life.”��

Could It Be Epilepsy?��

By the time most patients contact Dr. McInnis, �ٳ���’v�� had multiple seizure-like events. Dr. McInnis then has to determine if the events are truly seizures. If so, are those seizures caused by epilepsy?��

Answering these questions may require the following:��

Beyond Seizures��

Though seizures are a telltale sign of epilepsy, they’re not the only symptom. According to the , different types of epilepsy may also cause the following:��

Epilepsy Care Options����

Epilepsy can be debilitating or fatal if not managed properly. Thankfully, there are many effective ways to treat the disease.����

“Medications are the mainstay of people who have epilepsy,” Dr. McInnis says. “Two-thirds of patients who develop epilepsy get their seizures under control with medications, diet or a combination.”��

If you try two medications and continue to seizures, surgery may be necessary. Epilepsy surgery options include:��

Real-Time Seizure Care����

When someone has a seizure, stay nearby. Take away sharp objects, help the person lie on their side instead of their back and time the seizure.����

“Seizures often stop on their own within a couple minutes,” Dr. McInnis says. “If a seizure persists for more than five minutes, call 911.”��

Do you suspect you or someone you love has had a seizure? Find a doctor at AV��� who can provide a clear diagnosis.��