Living with Epilepsy

Many people suffer from seizures, and they can be dangerous. If you are one of the 3.4 million people in the United States who has chronic seizures, you may be living with epilepsy. Nearly a half-million children also live with this condition, and around the world, the total number of people affected rises to 65 million people.

What separates epilepsy from other types of seizures is underlying cause and frequency. To be diagnosed with epilepsy, you must have suffered at least two seizures that weren’t the result of a known condition, including hypoglycemia or injury. To be clear, head injuries aren’t the only possible cause of seizures. Excessive blood loss from any part of the body can also trigger a seizure. 

Amor Mehta, MD is one of the country’s first board-certified epileptologists. With years of experience in the delicate healing process, he understands that plenty of concern comes with an epilepsy diagnosis. At the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures in Marlboro Township, NJ, we can provide the treatment you need for a healthy, productive life.

What are seizures, and how do I know I have epilepsy? 

Seizures are the result of sudden electrical disturbances in the brain. The best-known symptoms of a seizure are uncontrolled jerking and loss of consciousness. This isn’t the only way seizures manifest, though. Confusion spells, staring while still, and sudden bouts of fear and anxiety can all signal symptoms of a seizure.

Experiencing a seizure doesn’t mean that you’re living with epilepsy, but experiencing more than one could be an early warning sign. Most new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed in children and elderly adults. 

There are several types of seizures associated with epilepsy. The type of seizures you’ve experienced depend on the age at which your seizures began, the severity, the part of the brain involved, and a list of other identifying factors. Whatever your seizure type, living with epilepsy is possible with the right preparations and consistent monitoring and treatment. 

Living with epilepsy 

Most people living with epilepsy are able to live their lives normally by avoiding things they know will trigger a seizure. Controlling those seizures helps you remain safe and lowers your risk of any possible complications. 

For better epilepsy control, start with a call to our offices. From there, we can schedule a consultation and schedule testing so that we can properly and positively identify the type of epilepsy disorder that affects you, or your loved one. Dr. Mehta starts by prescribing medications, and in over 70% of patients across the board, medication is enough to keep the seizures at bay.

You can’t just rely on medications alone, though. Caring for yourself with this condition does require you to do your part to keep yourself as healthy as possible. Start with keeping a record of when your seizures occur, and for how long they last. This will help Dr. Mehta understand the types of seizures that you have, and help us to care for you. 

Getting at least seven hours of sleep per night is a strong step in the right direction for your epilepsy care. Make sure you also take your epilepsy medication as prescribed. If you continue to have seizures despite our preliminary control methods, we’ve got other treatment options. Some of these include:

• Neurostimulation devices
• Dietary therapy
• Complementary health approaches
• Surgery (in extreme cases)

Dr. Mehta is here to help

No matter if you’ve been living with occasional or frequent seizures, we want to help you as soon as possible. Call us today at 732-856-5999 for a consultation, or schedule an appointment online at your convenience.