Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that triggers repeated seizures because of abnormal electrical activity being discharged by damaged brain cells. Uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity within brain cells induces a seizure. Seizures can create a variety of issues, such as loss of awareness, periods of unusual behavior, twitches or muscle jerks, and uncomfortable sensations.

Anyone of any age or sex can develop epilepsy.

In most cases, the causes of seizures are not known. The known causes of epilepsy include:

• Brain infections
• Genetics
• Head injuries
• Immune disorders
• Mesial temporal sclerosis
• Metabolic disorders
• Prenatal injury

Seizures are the most prevalent symptom linked to epilepsy. Other symptoms of epilepsy include:

• Lack of awareness
• Loss of consciousness
• Staring into space
• Temporary confusion
• Uncontrollable movement of the extremities
• Anxiety
• Déjà vu
• Feelings of fear

Seizures are triggered by several factors. Some common seizure triggers include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol use.
• Time of day.
• Caffeine.
• Dehydration.
• Flashing lights.
• Hormonal changes
• Fever.
• Failure to take anti-seizure medication dose.
• Lack of balanced diet
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Skipping meals.
• Physical overexertion.
• Recreational drug use.
• Sleep issues
• Stress.
• Use of certain medications.

Your provider will likely conduct a physical exam, review your medical history, and ask you some questions about your symptoms. Your provider may order blood tests, conduct an EEG test, or refer you to an imaging facility for an MRI.

At Four Peaks Neurology, we usually treat epilepsy using prescription medications. The type of medication that will be used will largely depend on the type of seizures you have, the severity of your seizures, and your past medical history.