Endeavor Health provides personalized, comprehensive care for people of all ages with epilepsy. Our team of neurologists and neurosurgeons goes beyond treating symptoms. We use the latest diagnostic tools to understand the root causes of your seizures, then offer leading-edge therapies, like neuromodulation, alongside tailored lifestyle guidance, to help you regain control and confidence.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with epilepsy for years, we offer the expertise, compassion and support you need to face each day with greater security and hope.

What epilepsy is and how it affects the brain

Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures, due to sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain. It’s not just limited to children. Adults are diagnosed with epilepsy, too.

Living with epilepsy means navigating a range of unique challenges. Whether it’s the unpredictability of seizures, their effect on daily activities, or their impact on your peace of mind, each person experiences epilepsy differently and deserves specialized attention.

Types of seizures we treat
  • Focal aware and impaired awareness seizures: Previously known as partial seizures. These seizures start in one part of the brain. If you remain aware during the seizure, it's called a focal aware seizure. If your awareness is affected, it's called a focal impaired awareness seizure.
  • Generalized onset seizures: These seizures begin in both sides of the brain at the same time. They can affect your whole body.
  • Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, characterized by loss of consciousness and muscle convulsions
  • Atonic (drop) seizures, causing sudden muscle weakness or collapse
  • Myoclonic seizures, involving brief, jerking movements
  • Absence (petit mal) seizures, cause a short lapse in consciousness
Your evaluation for epilepsy care

What’s causing your seizures? How are they affecting your life? We start by exploring your medical history and asking about prior seizures, any family history of epilepsy and other medical conditions that may play a role. Our team may then conduct a range of assessments to get to the root of your seizures:

  • EEG (electroencephalogram): Measures the brain’s electrical activity to detect abnormal signals linked to seizures
  • MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), PET and CT scans: Imaging tests to identify any structural issues, such as brain tumors, that may contribute to epilepsy
  • Blood tests: Evaluations to check for infections, genetic conditions or metabolic imbalances that may trigger seizures

Personalized epilepsy treatment and seizure control

Medication, lifestyle guidance and advanced therapies can control seizures and improve quality of life.

Anti-seizure medications to help prevent seizures and manage symptoms are often the first line of treatment and can be effective for many patients.

While we do not currently offer the ketogenic diet, it is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can help reduce seizure frequency for some patients.

For patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy, surgical procedures may offer relief by removing or isolating the affected area of the brain.

These include techniques like vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS). These therapies help regulate electrical activity in the brain to reduce frequency and severity seizures.

Guidance on sleep, stress management and triggers to help reduce seizure frequency.

Some seizures are influenced by hormonal changes. We offer specialized care to manage these types of seizures effectively.

Pediatric epilepsy treatment

At Endeavor Health, our pediatric experts treat children living with the struggles of epilepsy. When your child outgrows a pediatric neurologist, we will seamlessly transition their care to a provider for adults.

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Long-term support and living with epilepsy

Living with epilepsy can present challenges, but with the right care and support, a full and active life is within reach. Our team provides ongoing follow-up care, adjusting treatments as needed to help you manage symptoms and minimize seizure activity. We’re here to answer your questions, provide guidance and offer support through every step of your journey with epilepsy.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, many people with epilepsy live full, active lives. With a personalized treatment plan, lifestyle management and support, patients can pursue their goals and enjoy a high quality of life.

Epilepsy affects each person differently, but many people with epilepsy lead full and active lives with the right treatment plan, support and lifestyle adjustments. At certain stages of life, such as during pre-pregnancy planning and pregnancy, specialized care may be needed, and we are here to provide that. With personalized care and ongoing support, people with epilepsy can enjoy a high quality of life.

The type of epilepsy depends on the onset region in the brain. Focal epilepsies, which account for 60-80% of epilepsies, originate from one region, such as temporal lobe epilepsy. Generalized epilepsies, such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and childhood absence epilepsy, typically originate from deep in the brain or in both hemispheres. Each type affects individuals differently, making a personalized treatment plan essential.

Epilepsy is diagnosed through tests like electroencephalograms (EEG), MRIs and blood tests to identify abnormal electrical activity as well as detailed neurologic examinations and an in depth discussion to examine potential causes. Our team uses a comprehensive approach for accurate diagnoses.

In some cases, brain tumors can trigger epilepsy. Risk of epilepsy from brain tumors varies greatly depending on the location and type of tumor. These are termed symptomatic epilepsies. Our team, which includes neuro-oncologists, will discuss options with you including chemotherapy, radiation and anti-seizure medication if appropriate.

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Make an appointment

If epilepsy or recurrent seizures are affecting your life, you’re not alone. Schedule an appointment with our epilepsy and seizures team at Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute, where compassionate care and advanced treatments can help you move forward with confidence.

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Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute provides advanced care for brain, spine and neurological conditions. With world-class specialists and a commitment to innovation, we’re here to improve lives through compassionate, personalized neurological care.

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