Neurological conditions affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that connect them, disrupting the electrical signals responsible for bodily functions. Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Neurologists focus on stabilizing this activity to minimize seizure frequency for their patients. Here’s information on neurology treatments for epilepsy conditions:
Anti-seizure Medications
A primary treatment for epilepsy involves pharmaceutical intervention, as around 70% of people can manage their condition with medication. Neurologists prescribe specific medications to control seizures by influencing the way brain cells send signals to one another. These medications do not cure epilepsy, but they can stop seizures from happening as long as they are taken regularly.
Medication Management
Anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs work by altering brain chemical levels that affect electrical activity, but different drugs target different mechanisms. Finding the right medication often involves a period of adjustment, during which the neurologist monitors an individual’s response and adjusts the dosage as needed. The goal of neurology medication management is to control seizures with minimal side effects.
Epilepsy Causes
Epilepsy is a condition that can arise from various factors, though the exact cause remains unknown for many people with it. Known causes include genetic influence, head trauma from accidents, brain conditions such as tumors or strokes, infectious diseases like meningitis, and prenatal injury. Diagnosing epilepsy requires a comprehensive evaluation by a neurology specialist.
A neurological exam tests an individual’s motor abilities, behavior, and intellectual function to assess their brain and nervous system. The most common diagnostic tool is the electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical activity of the brain. Imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs might also be used to reveal structural abnormalities in the brain that could be causing seizures. Blood tests can be ordered to check for signs of infections, genetic conditions, or other illnesses associated with seizures.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Treatment
For people whose seizures are not well-controlled by medication alone, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers an alternative therapeutic approach. This treatment involves the implantation of a device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin of the chest. A wire from the device connects to the vagus nerve in the neck.
The device sends regular, mild electrical pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve. This stimulation helps prevent the abnormal bursts of electrical activity that cause seizures. Patients are often given a magnet that they can swipe over the device to deliver an extra burst of stimulation if they feel a seizure coming on, potentially stopping it or shortening its duration.
Surgical Options
When medications fail to control seizures and the seizures originate in a specific, well-defined area of the brain, surgery may be recommended. The goal of epilepsy surgery is to remove or alter the area of the brain where seizures begin without affecting major functions like speech, vision, or movement. Some common surgical procedures include:
- Surgical Resection: Where the surgeon removes a small part of the brain that’s causing the seizures.
- Corpus Callosotomy: Which involves severing the network of neural connections between the right and left halves of the brain to prevent seizure activity from spreading.
- Multiple Subpial Transection (MST): Is used when the seizure focus is located in an area of the brain that cannot be removed; the surgeon makes shallow cuts in the brain tissue to interrupt the flow of seizure impulses.
Contact a Neurology Center Today
Managing epilepsy requires a specialized approach tailored to every individual’s specific needs and seizure patterns. Neurologists utilize a range of diagnostic tools and treatment modalities to help their patients achieve stability. If you or a loved one is experiencing seizures, contact a neurology team to explore more personalized management strategies.
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