Epilepsy is common, affecting 1% of people in the United States. Your risk of developing epilepsy increases as you get older. Robert Wechsler, MD, PHD, FAES, FAAN, and Jessica Bishop, MPAS, PA-C, at Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology PLLC in Boise, Idaho, are epilepsy specialists. They provide comprehensive care for epilepsy to improve quality of life. For expert care, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that causes recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures are abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes an involuntary change in body movement, function, sensation, awareness, or behavior.
The abnormal electrical activity that causes epilepsy may result from any number of causes, including genetics, head trauma, or illness.
Epilepsy is common and can affect anyone. It’s also one of the nation’s most disabling neurological conditions.
Symptoms of epilepsy vary depending on the area of the brain where the abnormal activity occurs. Common symptoms include:
Most people with epilepsy have the same type of seizure activity and symptoms each time they have an episode.
Dr. Wechsler is a board-certified neurologist and fellowship-trained epileptologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating epilepsy.
Dr. Wechsler conducts a comprehensive neurological exam to diagnose epilepsy. During the exam, he tests your behavior, motor function, and mental abilities. These tests may help him pinpoint the type of seizures you have.
He also runs blood tests to look for signs of an infection, which may trigger seizure activity. Dr. Wechsler also conducts an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in your brain, which helps identify seizure activity for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Dr. Wechsler takes a patient-centered approach to care. He customizes your epilepsy treatment plan, focusing on treatments that improve your quality of life and reduce your seizure activity.
Initially, he may recommend anti-seizure medication. Sometimes, finding the right medication and dose to control your seizure activity may take time. However, more than half of people with epilepsy become seizure-free with their first anti-seizure medication.
If medication fails to ease your seizure activity, Dr. Wechsler may talk to you about other therapies such as vagus nerve stimulation.
Dedicated to providing advanced epilepsy care, Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology PLLC participates in clinical research and clinical trials.
For expert epilepsy care, call Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology PLLC or schedule a consultation online today.
