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Welcome pageWhat's NewCNI Epilepsy Center
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| APPOINTMENTS
Our specialists are happy to discuss your individual case with you. Serious inquiries only, please. For an appointment, call 303-788-4600. For other information
about CNI's Epilepsy Center, send
e-mail or call |
Seizures consist of unusual sensations, behaviors or movements resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. They may result in an alteration of consciousness or even a convulsion. When two or more unprovoked seizures occur in a given patient, the diagnosis of epilepsy is made.
There are many types of seizures and they can usually be divided into partial or generalized events. Partial seizures take place when the abnormal brain activity remains localized to a single area. A patient may experience sensory changes such as a strange feeling, taste or smell or even an auditory or visual hallucination. There may be movement, tremor or stiffness involving parts of the body. Consciousness may be impaired with the patient appearing confused, mumbling and unable to answer questions or perform simple tasks.
Generalized seizures occur when the entire brain is involved with the abnormal electrical activity from the beginning. There may be subtle blinking and staring for a few seconds or a patient may instead suffer a a grand mal seizure or convulsion. Still other seizure types occur less frequently.
It is important to classify seizures accurately. An electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain wave, is a basic test used to categorize seizures and assess brain rhythms.
A second test is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), shown here. MRI's take pictures of the brain from several angles to look for tumors, scars, or other abnormalities which may be responsible for a person's seizures.
Many people with epilepsy have their seizures easily controlled with a single medication. Children may outgrow their epilepsy and, eventually, patients may stop needing anti-epileptic drugs. For a large number of patients, however, seizures continue to occur unpredictably. It is these patients who should seek care at an epilepsy center.
An epilepsy center can offer persons with controlled seizures advanced and specialized treatment for their epilepsy. Investigational drug studies give patients access to medications that are not yet on the market or available to the general public. The vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) can improve and decrease seizure frequency without the type of side effects seen with seizure medications. Finally, epilepsy surgery in appropriately selected patients can dramatically reduce or even stop a patient's seizures completely.
If you want more information about seizures or the CNI Epilepsy Center, please e-mail us.
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Colorado Neurological
Institute Epilepsy Center
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