Epilepsy centers are staffed by providers who specialize in epilepsy care, such as. Many epilepsy centers work with university hospitals and researchers.
There are several ways you can find a neurologist or an epileptologist near you. Your primary care or family provider can tell you about types of specialists. The American Academy of Neurology external icon and the American Epilepsy Society external icon provide a listing of its member neurologists and epilepsy specialists, including epileptologists.
The National Association of Epilepsy Centers external icon also provides a list of its member centers, organized by state. Self-management is what you do to take care of yourself. You can learn how to manage seizures and keep an active and full life. Begin with these tips:. Learn more about managing epilepsy.
Women who have epilepsy face special challenges. Hormonal changes can cause some women with epilepsy to have more seizures during their period. For women with epilepsy, there are also special concerns about pregnancy, because having a seizure and taking certain drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk of harm to the baby. Women can take the following steps before and during pregnancy to lessen these risks. Most people with epilepsy live a full life. However, the risk of early death is higher for some.
We know that the best possible seizure control and living safely can reduce the risk of epilepsy-related death. Sudden death due to heart rhythm changes also happens in people who do not have seizures. The risk of sudden death is larger for people with major uncontrolled seizures.
The seizure-free period ranges from a few months to over a year, depending on the state. Some states need a letter from your health provider to issue a license when a person has seizures that:. Learn state-specific information external icon about driving laws from the Epilepsy Foundation.
Sometimes people with epilepsy worry that exercise or sports may worsen their seizures. In fact, regular exercise may improve seizure control. In other cases, epilepsy can be traced to an abnormality of the structure or function of the brain. These abnormalities can arise from traumatic brain injuries, strokes and other vascular problems, infections of the nervous system meningitis or encephalitis , congenital malformations, brain tumors or metabolic abnormalities.
Regardless, doctors can treat most epilepsy with medication, diet, nerve stimulation or, in some instances, surgery. Some epilepsies are caused by problems in the early formation of the fetal brain; others by inborn metabolic problems or early oxygen deprivation that leads to scarring.
Other epilepsies occur as a result of brain trauma, stroke, infection, tumor or genetic susceptibility. Still others have no apparent cause. About 3 out of 10 people with epilepsy have structural changes in the brain that cause chronic seizures.
These changes can be present at birth congenital or acquired later in life. Researchers are exploring the impact of genes in epilepsy but the association is complex, and genetic testing may not identify a specific cause.
GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is an example of an epilepsy caused by a metabolic problem. GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome is characterized by problems in the transport of glucose to the brain.
Speech may be particularly affected. A lumbar puncture can help diagnose the condition. GLUT-1 deficiency can be treated with a ketogenic diet, one high in fat and protein and low in sugar and carbohydrates.
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Seizure outcomes in nonresective epilepsy surgery: An update. Neurosurgical Review. External trigeminal nerve stimulation. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Fisher RS, et al. Lundstrom BN, et al. Chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation: A therapeutic and potentially restorative therapy for focal epilepsy. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. Van Gompel JJ expert opinion. May 30, Moeller J, et al. Video and ambulatory EEG monitoring in the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy.
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