We go about our daily lives, too busy and most often oblivious to the many mysteries and marvels that our bodies contain until something goes wrong, and we are faced with the reality of an illness.
Then we start to question why, how, and what will happen next. We start to notice things, and as much as we dread going to the doctor, we know we need help to figure out what’s wrong with our bodies.
Take the case of an illness called epilepsy. It is a neurological disorder of the central nervous system characterized by abnormal brain activity that results in seizures or periods of odd movements and, in some cases, causes the affected person to pass out.
This illness can affect any gender, ethnicity, and age. Some people would appear to be simply staring blankly, while others would be seen shaking their limbs or legs.
Diagnosing seizures and epilepsy is likened to solving a mystery or putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Information from you, your healthcare team, and your test findings are the “pieces.” It includes examining the diagnostic criteria and techniques that your doctors may employ.
Other illnesses such as fainting, migraines, and panic attacks can elicit identical symptoms with epilepsy, thus making it difficult to diagnose immediately. It’s usually not proven until you’ve experienced several seizures.
Finding out about your seizures
It’s difficult to tell if you’re having a seizure and to diagnose the type you had. Even if you’re not sure you have one, you should still consult a doctor.
It will be helpful to your specialist if you can describe your seizure in as much detail as possible, including details such as:
- the time of the seizure
- what you were doing at the time
- how you felt prior to, during, and after the event
How Are Seizures and Epilepsy Diagnosed?
Knowing you’re having a seizure can be difficult, and there would be times when you aren’t even aware of what you’re doing or that you have one episode.
Your doctor will examine your symptoms and medical history to identify your problem. To diagnose epilepsy and determine the source of seizures, your doctor may conduct many tests. Your assessment could involve the following:
- A neurological evaluation – To diagnose your disease and determine the type of epilepsy you have, your doctor may examine your behavior, motor ability, mental function, and other areas.
- Blood tests – A blood sample may be taken to screen for evidence of infections, genetic disorders, or other illnesses that may be linked to seizures.
Your doctor may also recommend tests to discover anomalies in the brain, such as:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) – This is the most common test for an epilepsy diagnosis. Electrodes are connected to your scalp with a paste-like substance or a cap. The electrodes will capture your brain’s electrical activity.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – An MRI creates a precise image of your brain using powerful magnets and radio waves. Your doctor might be able to detect brain lesions or abnormalities that are causing your seizures.
- Functional MRI (fMRI) – When certain portions of your brain are operating, a functional MRI analyzes variations in blood flow. Before surgery, doctors may utilize an fMRI to pinpoint the exact location of essential processes like speech and movement so that surgeons don’t injure those areas.
- High-density EEG – Your doctor may offer a high-density EEG test, which places electrodes closer together than traditional EEG — roughly a half-centimeter apart. A high-density EEG could help your doctor pinpoint which parts of your brain are being affected by seizures.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan – X-rays are used to create cross-sectional images of your brain during this test. CT scans can detect abnormalities in the structure of your brain, such as tumors, bleeding, and cysts that may be causing your seizures.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) – PET scans employ a small amount of low-dose radioactive material injected into a vein to see and detect anomalies in the brain’s metabolic activity. Low metabolism areas of the brain may show where seizures occur.
- Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) – This test is usually utilized after an MRI and EEG failed to pinpoint the place in your brain where the seizures are coming from.
- Neuropsychological tests – Doctors use these exams to evaluate your thinking, memory, and communication abilities. Doctors can use the test results to figure out which parts of your brain are being affected.
These may all seem like a battery of tests that fills someone with dread, but the best chance for finding a successful treatment is to diagnose your seizure type and where those originate accurately.
Additional evaluations by neuropsychologists, speech and cognitive experts, and others can assist complete a person’s clinical picture of seizures and determine the best treatment course. They may also refer you to epilepsy clinical trials you can join for further evaluation and treatment of your condition.