Services Neurology Seizures and Epilepsy

Seizures and Epilepsy

If you or a loved one are experiencing chronic seizures, trust the neurologists at Hattiesburg Clinic for epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.

Seizures and Epilepsy Overview

Seizures occur when there is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain. This surge can cause changes in behavior, movement and consciousness. The neurologists at Hattiesburg Clinic specialize in treating epilepsy and seizures with personalized care tailored to your unique needs.

Epilepsy
Subtle Symptoms to Look Out For
What causes seizures?
How We Diagnose Seizure Types
Seizure Treatments
Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder, with unprovoked seizures resulting from abnormal electric activity in the brain. Epileptics can either suffer from focal onset seizures and remain conscious or have generalized onset seizures which involve both hemispheres of the brain.

Subtle Symptoms to Look Out For

Seizures can show differently depending on their type and the origin in the brain. While many believe grand mal seizures with violent shaking and loss of consciousness are the norm, many seizures have more subtle signs that may go unnoticed without medical evaluation from a board-certified neurologist.

Absence Seizures: These seizures look like daydreaming, with brief lapses of awareness. You may space out and be unresponsive for seconds, then resume normal activity as if nothing has happened.
Myoclonic Seizures: Myoclonic seizures are more physical, with brief muscle jerks. This is more than a muscle spasm as these happen in clusters.
Focal Onset Seizures: Focal onset seizures were previously referred to as “partial seizures,” as you remain conscious during the seizure event. You can be either aware or in an altered state. Generally, these seizures cause emotional changes, involuntary movements or jerking of body parts such as lip smacking, spasms or hand rubbing.

What causes seizures?

Understanding the brain origin of the seizure and the underlying cause is essential for our neurologists to determine the right treatment plan. Common causes of seizures include:

Genetic predispositions, especially for epilepsy
Head injuries or trauma
Infections of the brain, such as meningitis
Brain tumors or strokes
Eclampsia during childbirth

How We Diagnose Seizure Types

Determining your specific seizure type is critical for effective treatment. At Hattiesburg Clinic we have a comprehensive approach with advanced diagnostic tools including:

Electroencephalogram (EEG): EEGs help us identify abnormal brain activity patterns.
Advanced Imaging: MRIs and CT scans can detect structural issues in the brain such as tumors, lesions or strokes.
Detailed Medical History: Working closely with other Hattiesburg Clinic providers, we understand your complete medical history, health concerns and seizure triggers.

Seizure Treatments

Anti-Epileptic Drugs: Common epilepsy treatments can help you achieve seizure control, with about 70% of patients remaining seizure-free with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) tailored to your seizure type.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Research has shown a ketogenic diet can benefit seizure patients. This diet change, adequate sleep and stress management are essential for remaining healthy and reducing seizure triggers.
Vagus Nerve Simulator: For drug-resistant epilepsy, devices like a vagus nerve stimulator can modulate abnormal electrical signals in the brain that lead to seizures. This small device is implanted in the chest and connects to the vagus nerve in the neck, making regular, mild pulses that help regulate the brain.
Surgical Options: Surgery may be required as a last resort to remove the part of the brain where seizures originate.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Hattiesburg Clinic is a leading provider for epilepsy and seizure care, offering comprehensive and compassionate treatment tailored to each patient’s unique needs. With a team of highly skilled neurologists and specialists, we provide cutting-edge diagnostic tools and evidence-based therapies to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective management of epilepsy. Contact our team to learn more.