Epilepsy Center

Falcon Advanced Neurology

Working to end Epilepsy, Save and Improve Lives!

Quick Stats on Epilepsy

Here are some key numbers to Ponder!

  • 65 MILLION: Number of people around the world who have epilepsy.
  • 3.4 MILLION: Number of people in the United States who have epilepsy.
  • 470,000: Number of children in the United States who have epilepsy.
  • 1 IN 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
  • BETWEEN 4 AND 10 OUT OF 1,000: Number of people on earth who live with active seizures at any one time.
  • 150,000: Number of new cases of epilepsy in the United States each year.
  • ONE-THIRD: Number of people with epilepsy who live with uncontrolled seizures despite taking seizure medications.
  • 6 OUT OF 10: Number of people with epilepsy where the cause is unknown.

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain.

There are two main types of epilepsy

  • Generalized epilepsy which may affect the whole brain.
  • Focal, or partial seizures, which originates from one part of the brain and may spread to nearby areas or the entire brain. If it does not affect consciousness; its called focal aware or earlier known as simple partial seizure. If it affects the consciousness, it’s called focal unaware or earlier known as complex partial seizure. 
  • Seizures may present in a variety of ways, some of which may be difficult to recognize especially by patients or their families and in some cases even by health care providers other than trained epilepsy physicians. The subtle seizures could cause abnormal visual or auditory phenomenon including hallucinations, abnormal taste, smell, deja vu, gastric rising sensations, palpitations, nausea, crying, laughing etc. 

Epilepsy is a fairly common neurological disorder that affects 65 million people around the world. In the United States, it affects about 3.4 million people and around 224,000 in the great state of Florida. Anyone can develop epilepsy, but it’s more common in young children and older adults. It occurs slightly more in males than in females.

Epilepsy is a condition that causes people to have repeated seizures. But not everyone who has had a seizure has epilepsy. Problems such as low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, illicit drugs, infections, certain medications or fever (especially in children) can also cause seizures. Other problems such as anxiety, conversion disorder or fainting spells can cause events that look like seizures and at times patient’s are subject to unnecessary medications and procedures. Therefore accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. 

What are the symptoms of Epilepsy?

Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.

  • Focal (partial) seizures – Its symptoms may include alterations to sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, or touch, dizziness, tingling and twitching of limbs.
  • Complex partial seizures involve alteration of awareness or consciousness – Its other symptoms include staring blankly, unresponsiveness, and performing repetitive movements.
  • Generalized Seizures – These are focal onset seizures which may spread to involve the entire brain and result in alteration in consciousness and may also cause whole body shaking (Tonic-Clonic) motor activity colloquially known as “Grand Mal Seizures”, which may potentially cause injuries and in some cases death (SUDEP: Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). 

Following a seizure, you may not remember having one, or you might feel sick for several minutes to hours.

Diagnosis and Treatment

There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies.

The right treatment for seizures depends on what is causing them. If you have seizures because of an infection, you will probably need treatments to get rid of the infection. On the other hand, if you have repeated seizures because of epilepsy, you will probably need anti-seizure medicines, also called “anti-convulsants.”

People sometimes need to try different medicines before they find a treatment that works well. Seizures can be hard to control. But if you work with your doctor, chances are good that you will find a treatment that works.

EEG

If you’ve had a head injury or are showing signs of a condition such as seizures or dementia, Falcon Advanced Neurology offers state-of-the-art electroencephalograms (EEG) to study your brain function. This non-invasive test can help diagnose your neurological condition and identify the best course of treatment to alleviate your symptoms. If you’re concerned about your neurological health, call Falcon Advanced Neurology to make an appointment today.

FAQs regarding Seizures

The right treatment for seizures depends on what is causing them. If you have seizures because of an infection, you will probably need treatments to get rid of the infection. On the other hand, if you have repeated seizures because of epilepsy, you will probably need anti-seizure medicines, also called “anti-convulsants.” People sometimes need to try different medicines before they find a treatment that works well. Seizures can be hard to control. But if you work with your doctor, chances are good that you will find a treatment that works.
If you keep having seizures even after trying different medicines, you might have other options. Some people have surgery to remove the part of their brain that is causing seizures. Others get a device called the Vagus Nerve stimulator put in their chest that helps control seizures. Newer therapies like deep brain stimulation (DBS) and responsive neuro-stimulator (RNS) placements are also options at the Advanced Neurology Epilepsy and Sleep Center. Until you have your seizures under control, do not drive. The laws that say when a person with seizures can drive are different depending on where the person lives. Ask your doctor if you can safely drive and about the laws where you live. Also, if your seizures are not under control make sure to take other safety steps. For example, do not swim without someone else nearby who could help you if you started having a seizure. And avoid activities that could result in you falling from a height.
You can:
  • Take your medicines exactly as directed – at the right times, and at the right doses.
  • Tell your doctor about any side effects, you may have. That way the two of you can find the best medicine for you.
  • Be careful not to let your prescription run out. (Stopping anti-seizure medicine suddenly can put you at risk of seizure.)
  • While on anti-seizure medicines, check with your doctor before starting any new medicines. Anti-seizure medicines can interact with prescription and non-prescription medicines, and with herbal drugs. Mixing them can increase side effects or make them not work as well.
  • Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can increase the risk of seizures, affect the way seizure medicines work, and increase side effects from anti-seizure medicines.
Ask your doctor what your family members should do. Some people will have seizures from time to time, and they might not need to see a doctor every time. But if you have a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes or if you do not wake up after a seizure, your family members should call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1). Your family members should not try to put anything in your mouth while you are having a seizure. But they should make sure you do not bang against any hard surfaces.
If you take anti-seizure medicines, speak to your doctor or nurse before you start trying to get pregnant. Some anti-seizure medicines can hurt an unborn baby. You might need to switch medicines before you get pregnant.

FAQs regarding EEG

An EEG, or electroencephalogram, is a diagnostic tool that monitors and records the electrical activity in your brain. Your brain cells use electrical impulses to send messages both to other brain cells and throughout your body. An EEG shows the electrical activity, so Dr. Herekar can look for abnormal activity and patterns. It’s a useful tool to diagnose brain disorders and the effects of head injuries. EEGs are noninvasive, safe, and painless. The test may include stimulation techniques including flashing lights, deep breathing (hyperventilation) if clinically indicated.
Dr. Herekar uses EEGs to diagnose conditions, including:
  • Seizures
  • Concussions and head injuries
  • Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
  • Encephalopathy (a brain dysfunction disease)
  • Memory problems
  • Sleep disorders
  • Brain tumors
  • Stroke
  • Dementia
If you’re concerned about your brain health and are having symptoms of seizures, dementia, or sleep disorders, call Dr. Herekar to schedule an assessment. The more quickly you get a diagnosis and start treatment, the better your chances are of avoiding disruptive health problems.
You have a consultation with Dr. Herekar before your EEG, and he gives you personalized instructions on preparing for your procedure. In general, you should wash your hair the night before your appointment and not put any styling products in your hair. You should avoid caffeine for at least eight hours before your test. Dr. Herekar provides instructions on whether you should take any medications or adjust your sleep routine before your test.
When you have your EEG, a technician attaches several electrodes to your scalp. The electrodes pick up electrical activity in your brain and transmit it to a computer, which measures and monitors your brain waves. An EEG usually lasts for 30-60 minutes. You sit in a reclining chair or lie on a treatment table. Your technician may give you instructions to open or close your eyes or breathe deeply. If they’re testing for seizures, the technician may ask you to look at a flashing light or image. All of the EEG technicians at Aamr Arif Herekar MD Neurology are fully trained and can take immediate action to protect your safety on the rare occasion of the test triggering a seizure. When your EEG is complete, your technician removes the electrodes. Dr. Herekar might review your results immediately, or you might have a follow-up appointment to discuss your EEG. Call Aamr Arif Herekar MD Neurology to make an appointment today if you need expert neurological testing, including an EEG.