Seizures are Diagnosed and Treated by Board Certified Neurologists
Expert physicians of The Neurology Center at Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland are dedicated to providing through diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for seizures, produced by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Seizures, also referred to as convulsions, are sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain that affect how a person feels or acts for a brief period of time. Convulsions are rapid and uncontrollable shaking. There are many different types of seizures. Some have mild symptoms and no convulsions.
What causes Seizures?
Seizures of all types are different from individual to individual. They are caused by sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Sometimes seizures are related to another medical condition, such as:
- Head injury or shock
- Confusion, dizziness or nausea
- Family history of seizures
- Fast increasing fever or heart racing
- Illness such as meningitis or stroke
- Parasite infection
- Withdrawal from alcohol, prescription medicine, or illegal drugs
Seizure symptoms depend on what part of the brain is involved. They may occur suddenly and include the following:
- Black out with confusion afterward with no recollection
- Changes in behavior
- Clenching of teeth
- Deafness
- Drooling or frothing at the mouth
- Electric shock feeling
- Eye movements
- Grunting or snorting
- Heart racing
- Incontinence
- Mood swings, like sudden anger, unexplainable fear, panic, joy or laughter
- Shaking of body
- Smell
- Staring
- Temporary lapse in breathing
- Tongue biting
- Tremors
- Twitching movements
- Uncontrollable muscle spasms with twitching and jerking
- Unexpected falling
There are many different disorders with similar symptoms; therefore, diagnosing a person with seizures can be difficult. It is important to give the doctor an accurate account of what happened before, during and after the seizure.
A physical exam and medical history will be used as part of the diagnosis. A seizure diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms. Testing may include:
The treatment options for seizures will depend on what caused the seizure. Seizure treatment options may include:
- Medication
- Surgery