Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the 4th most common neurologic condition, affecting 50-60 million people worldwide
and 3.4 million Americans nationally. One in ten Americans will have a
single seizure in their lifetime, and close to 1 out of every 30 Americans
will go on to have epilepsy. In Orange County alone there are roughly
27,000 people with active epilepsy, with 1,500 new cases of epilepsy in
our county a year alone. Epilepsy can impact all aspects of life from
autonomy and independence with driving and working to quality of life
and family planning. From sleep and life expectancy to mood and fertility
epilepsy effects all facets of life and patients should not navigate these
challenges alone.
Common Issues or Symptoms
Unprovoked seizures, genetic or primary generalized epilepsy, provoked
seizures due to traumatic brain injuries or substance use, localization
related epilepsy, autoimmune related seizures, epilepsy in pregnancy,
episodes or spells concerning for possible seizures.
Our Services Offered
Issues regularly addressed in clinic for patients with epilepsy include:
which, when, and for how long to initiate the right medication after having
one or more seizure, common and most important side effect of medications,
DMV forms and any other disability forms pertaining to seizures and epilepsy,
ordering of electroencephalograms (EEG) and MRIs, and management of medications
Benefits to Visiting
We offer a board certified provider in Epilepsy specifically trained to
address all questions surrounding the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy.
This includes (but not limited): to medication selection/increase/adjustments,
presurgical workup, epilepsy monitoring both outpatient and soon to be
inpatient, imaging workup for seizures (MRI, PET, ect), lifestyle modifications,
epilepsy safety counseling, evaluation for implantation as well as adjustments
of VNS (Vagal nerve stimulation), epilepsy and fertility, medications
adjustments during pregnancy, and dietary recommendations for management
of seizures.
What Your Visit and Treatment Might Include
Visits to our office in Mission Viejo (Orange County, California) would
include an extensive history and physical, and lengthy discussion regarding
the impact of epilepsy on everyday life. Discussions would include ensuring
basic epilepsy safety, precautions necessary, and addressing any forms
or paperwork required to ensure patients are given the appropriate accommodations
as safeguarded to them by law. Plans for care and management of medications
and choices pertaining to patients with epilepsy are always patient centered,
meaning they will be the decision maker and the driving force behind how
their care progresses.