Epilepsy is a neurological condition which affects the nervous system. It's caused by abnormal activity in the brain, resulting in seizures. Epilepsy is generally determined when a person has two or more unprovoked seizures. A Saint Francis neurology specialist will determine your diagnosis and treatment plan after an evaluation. They will review your symptoms and medical history, and they may order blood tests or advanced diagnostics.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Difficulty talking
• Loss of consciousness or awareness
• Staring spells
• Temporary confusion
• Tremors, twitching or jerking movements

Causes of Epilepsy Include:

• Brain infection from parasites (malaria, neurocysticercosis), viruses (influenza, dengue, Zika), and bacteria
• Brain tumor
• Loss of oxygen to the brain (for example, during birth)
• Other neurologic diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease)
• Some genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome)
• Traumatic brain injury or head injury
• Stroke

Managing Epilepsy

Treatment options vary from medications to surgery. Some people require lifelong treatment, while seizures simply go away for others. In some children with epilepsy, they may outgrow the condition as they age.

Contact a Neurology Specialist

Warren Clinic Interventional Neurology - Tulsa Area
Warren Clinic Neurology - Tulsa Area

Learn More About Healthcare Services Provided Through Saint Francis

The physicians, staff and volunteers of Saint Francis Health System are dedicated to the healthcare of our communities in eastern Oklahoma. To learn more about services provided through Saint Francis, please call Saint Francis HealthLink at 918-488-6688.