Who Is At Risk For Epilepsy?

Who Is At Risk For Epilepsy?

Commonly known as a seizure disorder, epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition which causes seizures to arise often, and unprovoked.  Surgical methods are sometimes used to treat this condition, but medication and lifestyle changes are generally the more common methods. At Three Village NeurologyDr. James Bruno is a neurologist near Stony Brook, New York that provides diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy. Not every cause of epilepsy is known but many risk factors have been identified.

These factors include:

  • Genetics
  • Brain damage
  • Head trauma
  • High fever
  • Bacterial encephalitis
  • Use of illegal drugs
  • Low birth weight
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Brain tumor
  • Othеr penetrating wounds to the head

Any person can endure an epileptic seizure under certain circumstances. Seizures can be provoked by drug overdoses, or in some cases even acute illness. The condition epilepsy, however, does not apply to these people. Epilepsy is defined by recurring, unprovoked seizures.

Treatment fоr Epilepsy

Treatment methods for thе disorder have improved over recent years thanks to in-depth research. As of current, anti-epileptic medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery are the most viable and widely deployed treatment methods. However, these methods are not curative. Medication if taken at prescribed doses will help control the occurrence of seizures but may not eliminate them entirely. The goal of these treatments is to make the patient’s life free of disablement and improve their lifespan.

As always, effective treatment requires proper diagnosis of the problem. For epilepsy, a neurologist in Stony Brook will order tests that identify the type based on known symptoms and first-hand information given by the patient or observers.

Common diagnostic procedures include neurological testing and blood tests in order to gain a clear picture of the patient’s health condition and possible triggers for the seizures.  Brain scans are an even more in-depth tool for locating damaged areas of the brain. A widely used scan type is Electroencephalogram (EEG) which helps to record electrical activity of the brain. Aside from these diagnostic tests, your neurologist in Stony Brook may recommend other tests such as a Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which can be used to detect brain abnormalities.

After proper diagnosis, a neurologist in Stony Brook will work with you in order to decide the best course of treatment. This involves taking into account several factors such as age, gender, family history, allergies, and patient lifestyle.

Usually, a patient is prescribed medication that should be taken regularly. Regular appointments will be needed to determine the effectiveness of treatment in order to allow for adjustments in dosage or new treatments entirely.  When it is identified that medication has little impact on patient’s improvement, surgery may be the next option

Usage of a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) device is another treatment option. This involves transmitting electrical energy in small amounts of electrical energy in small amounts to the brain through the nerve.

Apart from these recommended treatment methods,  a person living with epilepsy can also adopt natural and alternative therapies that will improve overall well being. This may include yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. These lifestyle changes in conjunction with conventional medical approaches have proven to reduce epileptic seizures.

Dr. James Bruno, a neurologist near Stony Brook, New York can work with you to find the right treatment options for your epilepsy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

 

Neurologist near Stony Brook

Summary
Epileptic Treatment
Service Type
Epileptic Treatment
Provider Name
Three Village Neurology, Telephone No.1-631-751-0790
Area
Stony Brook
Description
Dr. James Bruno, a neurologist near Stony Brook, New York can work with you to find the right treatment options for your epilepsy.