Seizures

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The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions to help understand the cause of the seizures, such as:

• Did it occur or start on one side of the body?
• Was there movement of the muscles and if so, what was the pattern?
• Are there any risk factors (such as recent head injury)?
• Was consciousness maintained during the seizure?
• How long did the seizure last?
• What are the frequency of the seizures?
• Was there any warning (aura) of the seizures?
• Were there any other symptoms present (visual changes, abnormal smells)?

• CT scan of the head or MRI of the head
• EEG
• Lumbar puncture
• Blood tests

Medications are often prescribed. Instructions for taking them should be strictly followed. Family members should observe and record any seizures to ensure the patient gets proper treatment.

People with uncontrolled seizures should not drive. Each state has a different law that determines which patients are allowed to drive. People with seizures also should not swim or bike alone.

Review Date: 10/17/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, M.D., Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.