Our neurologists provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of seizures using the latest techniques and therapies.
At UPMC in Central Pa., our staff includes epileptologists who are board-certified in neurology and fellowship trained in treating seizures. Our epileptologists are committed to offering the latest treatments to help you manage the physical and emotional aspects of epilepsy.
Our neurology and neurosurgery specialists also understand that seizures affect each person differently. That's why we deliver an accurate diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan that uses the latest therapies to control seizures and improve your quality of life.
In addition to offering the most advanced treatment options for epilepsy and seizures, our specialists work closely with other health care providers, such as nurse navigators, radiologists, registered dietitians, and rehabilitation therapists, to coordinate your care and connect you with the additional services you need.
After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, your doctor may order or perform several tests to diagnose epilepsy or a seizure, including:
Top views of the brain show normal tissue and abnormal tissue ) that causes seizures.
An EEG may be done to study seizures, study sleep disorders, or help find the location of a tumor, an infection, or bleeding. An EEG technologist attaches a cap with fixed electrodes on your head. (An EEG can also be done without a cap by using several individual electrodes.) The electrodes are hooked by wires to a machine that records the electrical activity inside the brain. The machine shows the electrical activity as a series of wavy lines on a computer screen.
Your specific treatment will depend on the type of seizures you are having and where the seizures begin in your brain. Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend one or more treatments, including:
Epilepsy is a chronic condition that causes repeated, unprovoked seizures. The seizures are caused by bursts of electrical activity in the brain that aren't normal. Seizures may cause problems with muscle control, movement, speech, vision, or awareness. They usually don't last very long, but they can be scary. The good news is there are many ways to manage epilepsy and reduce or eliminate seizures.
No. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, an epileptic seizure is a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a disease characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. In other words: a seizure is an event and epilepsy is the disease involving recurrent unprovoked seizures.
The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures, but seizure symptoms can vary depending on the type of seizure you have. Common seizure symptoms include:
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, a person is considered to have epilepsy if they meet any of the following conditions:
Anyone can develop epilepsy. It affects men and women of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. However, genetic factors, head injuries and conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke, meningitis, dementia, brain tumors, and viral encephalitis, may increase your risk of developing epilepsy.
There is nothing you can do to prevent epilepsy.
Contact the office below that is most convenient to you.
Located at Hillside Medical Center
250 Fame Avenue, Suite 100
Hanover, PA 17331
Located at UPMC Outpatient Services
Formerly known as Bloom Outpatient Center
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
1160 Manheim Pike
Suite 202
Lancaster, PA 17601
Thistle Hill Professional Center
2030 Thistle Hill Dr.
Suite 202
Spring Grove, PA 17362
1600 6th Avenue, Suite 102
York, PA 17403
Phone: 717-764-4781
Fax: 717-764-9572
When it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.
Contact UPMC in central Pa.