Beyond Seizures: Detecting and Managing Epilepsy

November 12, 2024

two doctors man and woman doctor examine an MRI image of the brain in an MRI room.

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, they’ve 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:

Discussion of symptoms. You give a detailed history of your seizure symptoms. Your provider also talks with loved ones who witness the events.
EEG. An electroencephalographic (EEG) measures your brain’s electrical activity. Prior to the test, a provider places a series of electrodes on your scalp. As you lie still, the electrodes send information about your brain activity to a computer. This data helps your provider determine if you’re at risk for future seizures. If so, you’re diagnosed with epilepsy.
Laboratory tests. Diabetes, infection, anemia and other conditions can cause seizures. Your provider may run blood tests to rule these conditions out.
MRI. Brain tumors, stroke, traumatic brain injury and other abnormalities can result in seizures. A brain MRI can help detect the cause and the specific type of seizure. With this information, your provider can prescribe appropriate treatment.

Beyond Seizures

Though seizures are a telltale sign of epilepsy, they’re not the only symptom. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, different types of epilepsy may also cause the following:

Changes in emotions
Feelings of déjà vu
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Smelling or tasting something unusual
Visual hallucinations

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:

Device placement. The surgeon places a small electrical device under your skin. This device sends electrical pulses to the area causing seizures to stop the seizures.
Source removal. With focal seizures, a single area inside the brain causes seizures. By removing this area, the surgeon either stops seizures altogether or reduces their frequency.

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 Weill Cornell Medicine who can provide a clear diagnosis.

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Clinical Service

Neurology

Practice

Neurology - Upper East Side

Physician

Robert McInnis