Epilepsy Specialist

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a general term for brain disorders that cause abnormal brainwave activity, triggering changes in sensation, emotions, or behavior that may lead to seizures, muscle spasms, or loss of consciousness.

Epilepsy can affect anyone and may develop because of abnormalities in the structure or function of the brain (e.g., imbalance in neurotransmitters, abnormal brain wiring, or changes to important brain cells).

You may have seizure activity with a high fever or traumatic brain injury. However, for an epilepsy diagnosis, you must have a history of two or more seizures. Having one seizure from an illness or injury may not necessarily mean you have epilepsy.

What are the types of epilepsy?

Epilepsy is categorized into types based on where the seizure activity occurs and how it affects you. There are two types of epilepsy classification: focal seizures and generalized seizures.

Focal seizures

Focal seizures mean seizure activity only affects one part of the brain. Focal seizures may or may not cause a loss of consciousness. However, they may affect sensations, emotions, or awareness. 

Generalized seizures

Generalized seizures affect the entire brain. There are several types of generalized seizures, including absence seizures, tonic seizures, and clonic seizures.

Each type of generalized seizure causes a set of symptoms, with some types being more severe than others. 

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

Houston Neurological Institute performs an electroencephalogram (EEG) to diagnose epilepsy. The practice offers many types of EEGs to capture abnormal brain activity at the office or when you’re at home. 

The neurology practice uses the information from the EEG so they can correctly diagnose and treat your epilepsy. 

How is epilepsy treated?

Houston Neurological Institute is at the forefront of epilepsy treatment and customizes care based on your diagnosis. In most cases, your provider can help you gain control over your epilepsy with medication. 

For patients with poor control over their epilepsy, Houston Neurological Institute may prescribe two or more medications. They may also recommend a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS).

A VNS is like a pacemaker for the brain that helps correct abnormal brainwave activity. The physicians, physician assistants, and highly trained nurses at Houston Neurological Institute program VNS devices using the latest software and programming equipment. 

If your neurologist thinks you’re a candidate for surgical resection of brain tissue to control seizure activity, they work with the best epilepsy surgeons at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, coordinating evaluations and postoperative care.

For state-of-the-art epilepsy care, call Houston Neurological Institute or schedule an appointment online today.