Seizure Treatment Specialist in Bartlett, TN

Seizures are distressing, both for the sufferer and those close to him or her. At West TN Neurology Clinic PLLC, Salman Saeed, MD, FAAPM, is experienced in diagnosing and treating seizures. He has helped many families in and around Bartlett and Dyersburg, Tennessee, live healthy and active lives, even with seizures. If you’d like to learn more about seizures and how treatment can help, schedule a consultation with neurologist Dr. Saeed today. You can book your visit online or by calling the office.

Seizures Q & A

What are Seizures?

Seizures are sudden and uncontrollable electrical disturbances in your brain. They usually cause noticeable changes in how you behave, move, or feel. You may lose consciousness during a seizure, but it’s also possible to remain awake while they occur.

There are different types of seizures that originate in different areas of your brain. They range in severity and usually last between 30 seconds and two minutes. If a seizure lasts for more than five minutes, it’s critical to seek emergency medical attention.

What causes Seizures?

Any disruption in the neural pathways between your brain cells can cause a seizure. Epilepsy is the most common cause, but other causal factors include:

Traumatic head injury
High fever
Brain tumor
Illegal drug use
Alcohol abuse
Certain medications
Inadequate sleep
Stroke

Because there are so many issues that can cause seizures, it’s important to schedule a diagnostic exam with Dr. Saeed as soon as you experience one.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the nerve cells in your brain don’t behave normally. As many as 3.4 million Americans live with epilepsy, making it the fourth most common type of neurological disease.

If you have epilepsy, you’re at an elevated risk for complications arising from the disease. These include:

Falls
Auto accidents
Emotional issues
Pregnancy complications
Drowning

Epilepsy can be caused by a brain tumor, head trauma, stroke, or a brain infection. However, in nearly half of all epilepsy cases, the exact cause is unknown.

How is Epilepsy diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Saeed uses many methods to diagnose epilepsy. The process always begins with a neurological examination and a full health history. Blood tests can rule out infections and suggest possible causes.

An electroencephalogram, or EEG, measures the electrical activity in your brain. This test detects epilepsy even when there is no seizure taking place. Imaging options like a CT scan, MRI, fMRI, and PET scans can also help diagnose epilepsy.

Medication can effectively treat epilepsy by preventing seizures. Many men, women, and children can manage epilepsy through a carefully controlled diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat. In some cases, conservative brain surgery is the best treatment option.