Skip Navigation
COVID-19 Updates
Health
Health Conditions and Diseases Epilepsy
Medical Management of Epilepsy
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Pinterest Share via Email
Seizures Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures, temporary episodes that often include twitching and
convulsions. These seizures happen when the brain's electrical impulses act abnormally and send erratic
signals. Think of it as your brain getting confused by these haywire messages, and the result is a seizure.
Epilepsy can make driving, walking across the street, or cooking dinner a dangerous activity because you
never know when a seizure may strike. But epilepsy can usually be managed well through medication
and other treatments. Learning how to reduce your risk for a seizure through lifestyle changes and
learning your triggers can also help you to better manage your epilepsy.
Facts about the medical management of epilepsy
About 70 percent of people with epilepsy are able to successfully manage epilepsy seizures with
medication and certain types of surgery, but it’s important to remember that epilepsy can't be cured
and that there's always a risk of having another seizure.
Epilepsy usually begins in young people, often between ages 5 and 20, although it can affect anyone.
Most of the time, people with epilepsy have someone else in their family who has epilepsy or seizures.
Sometimes seizures can be triggered by something that's out of your control. Running a high fever may
result in a seizure, despite taking medications to manage epilepsy. Having high or low blood glucose or
sodium or taking certain medications can also cause a seizure.
Symptoms of epilepsy
The primary symptom of epilepsy is a seizure. But there are different types of seizures with different
symptoms. These are some symptoms of seizures:
Slight twitching of all or parts of the body, including arms, hands, and legs
Convulsions that affect the entire body
Loss of consciousness
Twitching of the face
Affected speech
Sudden stillness with a blank stare
Temporary loss of control of your bladder or bowels
Most seizures only last for a few minutes or even just a few seconds. If you've had a seizure, it may take
you an hour or so to feel normal again. And you may not have any memory of having had a seizure or
remember what was happening as the seizure started.
Diagnosis
A doctor may perform a neurological exam and a complete physical exam to pinpoint the cause of the
seizures and diagnose epilepsy. Tests used to diagnose epilepsy include:
An electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure the electrical activity of the brain
A spinal tap to collect spinal fluid for analysis
Imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan, of the head
These blood tests are also commonly used to help diagnose epilepsy or rule out other disorders:
Tests of liver and kidney function
Blood glucose tests
Complete blood count and chemistry of the blood
Tests to diagnose or rule out any infectious diseases
Treatment
Epilepsy can be treated through multiple strategies. Usually medication is needed to control seizures
and treat epilepsy; these commonly prescribed drugs are called anticonvulsants.
Medication alone can't always stop or reduce seizures. A device called a vagus nerve stimulator may
help treat epilepsy if you don’t get relief from medication. The stimulator is surgically placed in the
chest. It electrically stimulates a large nerve (the vagus nerve) that runs through the neck. This device is
successful in preventing seizures in some people, but even a vagus nerve stimulator can't totally stop
seizures from happening.
Some doctors recommend a special diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates to help manage epilepsy.
This is called a ketogenic diet, and it may help more than half of people who haven't improved on
medicine alone.
If you can't get good control over seizures with medications, diet, or a vagus nerve stimulator, brain
surgery to correct the problem might be an option.
Calling the doctor
If you have a seizure for the first time, you should see a doctor right away to try to pinpoint the cause. If
you have already been diagnosed with epilepsy, tell your doctor about any changes in your seizures; it's
a good idea to keep track of when and where they occur and contact your doctor as recommended.
Prevention
Although there is no way to prevent epilepsy, you can take steps to help prevent seizures:
Don't drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, or smoke.
Protect your head with a helmet during any sport or activity that could result in a head injury.
Get plenty of sleep every night.
Do your best to avoid getting a cold or the flu.
Talk with your doctor about all of your prescription medications to be sure they won't aggravate
seizures.
Always take all of your epilepsy medications as prescribed.
Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Complications
Epilepsy can lead to emotional and social problems, particularly in children. They may start to act out,
experience behavior problems at school, or develop a learning disability. The seizures themselves can
cause injury if you fall or hit your head or if you happen to be driving or using machinery. Other
complications include suffering permanent damage to the brain due to lack of oxygen during a seizure.
Medications used to treat epilepsy may cause complications or uncomfortable side effects. If you're
pregnant, some of these drugs may lead to serious birth defects.
Key points to remember
Because a seizure can strike at any time, do your best to be prepared. If you have uncontrolled seizures,
don’t drive to reduce your risk of being in an accident. Ask your doctor about wearing a medical alert
bracelet that identifies you as having epilepsy so that people will know what to do if you have a seizure.
And if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant, remember to check with your doctor about the
safety of your medications.
Request an Appointment
Find a Doctor
410-955-5000
Maryland
855-695-4872
Outside of Maryland
+1-410-502-7683
International
Related
No image availableNEUROLOGY
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
No image availableEPILEPSY
Epilepsy Syndromes in Children
No image availablePEDIATRIC PROCEDURES
Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery
Related Topics
Seizures
Epilepsy
Health
Conditions and Diseases
Treatments, Tests and Therapies
Wellness and Prevention
Caregiving
Johns Hopkins Medicine LogoJohns Hopkins Medicine logo
Language Assistance Available:
Español አማርኛ 繁體中文 Français Tagalog Русский Português Italiano Tiếng Việt Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀ -wùɖù-po-ny ɔ̀ Igbo
asusu èdè Yorùbá বাংলা 日本語 한국어 Kreyòl Ayisyen العربيةDeutsch Polski Ελληνικά ગુજરાતી
ภาษาไทย ُارُدو فارسیहिंदी Deitsch ខ្មែរ
Contact & Privacy Information
Contact Us | Patient Care Locations
Notice of Privacy Practices | Privacy Statement
Terms & Conditions of Use | Non-Discrimination Notice
Copyright © 2022 The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health
System. All rights reserved.
