How A Neurologist Helps Manage Your Seizures
If you've had a seizure, your doctor may refer you to a brain specialist, or neurologist, to find out why it occurred and to provide treatment. Seizures themselves are not always life-threatening, but if one happens while you're driving or doing some other dangerous activity, your life could be at risk. Therefore, seizures are not something to be taken lightly even if they seem mild. Sometimes, the seizures can be severe and frightening. Either way, a neurologist can help in the following ways.
Neurological Exam
A neurological exam is much like a physical examination, but it tests your brain and nervous system more intently. You may be asked to identify odors or repeat a series of numbers. Your reflexes, speech, and walking pattern are observed. The doctor looks for things like muscle weakness and trembling. A neurologist can tell a lot by watching you talk and move when you don't even know you're being examined.
Brain Scans
Your neurologist will probably order brain scans and other forms of health testing to pinpoint the cause of your seizure. Basic blood tests along with an evaluation of your medication are done to look for possible triggers. You'll probably have an EEG that measures the electrical activity of your brain. An MRI or CT scan of your brain may be ordered as well. A brain imaging scan shows the doctor if you have fluid, a blood clot, or scar tissue on your brain.
A scan also shows signs of a tumor or cancer. A scan might be done to look at the structures of the brain and for signs of abnormality. A scan can also be performed to test how well your brain works under controlled conditions. All this information helps the neurologist diagnose your condition so proper treatment can begin.
Treatment
Treatment might require changing medication or treating another medical condition. You might even be diagnosed with epilepsy. Epilepsy can be a frustrating condition to manage because it's possible to have seizures yet have normal medical exams. It's also possible the doctor won't find the cause of your seizures. However, that doesn't stop successful treatment. Many cases of seizures are controlled with medication. You may need to take the medication for the long-term if you have frequent seizures, but your doctor may try to wean you off the medication as long as you stay free from further attacks.
In addition to taking medication, you'll probably be instructed to track your episodes. Record what you're doing at the time so you can figure out your triggers. That way, you can try to avoid them. More serious cases of seizures from epilepsy might require brain surgery or other medical treatments. If your case is complex, you might even need to see a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy. However, if your seizures are the more mild and infrequent variety, you can usually manage your condition well with just medication.
