Should I See a Neurologist for My Neck or Back Pain?
Did you know neurologists are highly specialized non-surgical experts trained specifically on disorders of the brain, spine, peripheral nerves, and muscles?
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting about 1 in 26 people at some point. It’s characterized by seizures, most of which often develop in childhood.
During a seizure, you might stare off into space, lose consciousness, and/or experience involuntary jerking of your arms and legs. While these episodes can seem scary, proper diagnosis and effective treatment can allow you to lead a full life.
At NeuroCare of Texas in Frisco, Texas, Dr. Ahmad Saeed Ata infuses his two decades of experiences treating seizure disorders into providing the best possible care for people with epilepsy.
Read on to learn about common myths associated with this condition and what’s actually true.
Epilepsy does cause seizures, but it’s far from the only cause. To be diagnosed with epilepsy, you must have had at least two seemingly out-of-the-blue seizures that happen more than 24 hours apart.
You can also experience a seizure due to sleep deprivation, a new medication, or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
When a seizure happens, your brain experiences a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity. This activity typically causes unconsciousness, which means you aren’t in pain or even aware that it’s happening.
You might experience some amount of pain afterward if you fell down and hurt yourself during the seizure, but the episode itself is painless.
When you think of a seizure, you may picture someone shaking on the ground. And while that can happen, there are several types of seizures, each with different particulars. The three main types include:
Like many conditions, epilepsy can affect your emotional well-being or moods. But it isn’t a mental illness.
Epileptic disorders are physical conditions with many causes. In some cases, the cause goes unidentified, but the known causes are all physical. Examples include brain tumors, low birth weight, stroke, and head trauma.
Epilepsy does not affect your ability to think, except during and briefly after seizures. This means that you can have just about any job or career you’d like and develop fulfilling relationships.
Most professions, including professional sports, high-level businesses, and governmental jobs, can and do accommodate people with epilepsy.
Of course, proper treatment for epilepsy helps ensure positive health and overall life quality. Dr. Ata provides all available epilepsy treatments, including:
Anti-epileptic drugs are the most common treatment and effectively minimize seizures in about 70% of patients. In some cases, we try several different medications in order to find the ideal fit. We also discuss steps you can take to stay safe if or when a seizure occurs, such as avoiding swimming alone.
To learn more about seizures and epilepsy or get the neurological care you need, call us at NeuroCare of Texas or request an appointment with Dr. Ata through our website.
