Epilepsy Specialist
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Neuroclinics
Romer Mosquera, M.D.
Board Certified Neurologist & Clinical Neurophysiologist located in Miami, FL
Did you know that one in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some time during their life? This common condition, also known as seizure disorder, affects men, women, and children of all ages. At Neuroclinics in Miami, Florida, board-certified neurologist Romer Mosquera, MD, and the skilled team regularly diagnose and treat epilepsy. To schedule your appointment, call the office or book online today.
Epilepsy Q & A
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal brain activity and recurrent seizures. A seizure occurs when there’s an uncontrolled electrical disturbance in your brain. Seizures affect everyone differently and may cause changes to your behavior, movements, or level of consciousness.
Anyone can develop epilepsy – it affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Some people require lifelong treatment for epilepsy, while others may grow out of the condition. If you experience one seizure, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have epilepsy. But if you have recurrent seizures, your doctor may diagnose you with epilepsy.
What causes epilepsy?
A variety of factors contribute to epilepsy, including:
- Genetics
- Head trauma
- Infectious diseases
- Prenatal injuries
- Brain malformations
Still, many cases of epilepsy do not have a clear etiology. Part of the evaluation process includes looking for a cause.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
To diagnose epilepsy, the team at Neuroclinics performs a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Depending on your symptoms, your evaluation might also include blood tests and an MRI scan.
Your doctor will also recommend an electroencephalogram (EEG), a test used to help diagnose epilepsy. During an EEG, a certified technologist attaches electrodes to your scalp, which monitors the electrical activity of your brain. If you have epilepsy, an EEG commonly shows abnormal patterns in your brainwaves.
How is epilepsy treated?
The team at Neuroclinics takes an integrative and holistic approach to epilepsy treatment. Ultimately, the goal of epilepsy treatment is to control seizures with the fewest possible side effects.
In most cases, the team treats epilepsy with anti-seizure medications. However, finding the right medicine and dosage is challenging. Your doctor considers the severity of your condition, the type of epilepsy, the frequency of your symptoms, and your age to determine which medication you’ll most benefit from.
If anti-seizure medications aren’t effective and your seizures continue, the team might recommend an evaluation for surgery or dietary therapy.
If you’re concerned about seizures or epilepsy, make an appointment at Neuroclinics today. Call the office or use the online booking tool.
