Treatment

 

If you’re diagnosed with epilepsy, you and your doctor will need to decide how to treat your seizures. While seizure medicines are the first step in epilepsy treatment, there are other approaches to think about.

Although there is no known cure for epilepsy, developments in treatment have made it possible for most people to achieve seizure control. The first treatment step is usually to find the right medicine or Anti-Epileptic Drug (AED). If seizures continue to happen, other treatments like devices, dietary therapies, or surgery can help control seizures.

Your Role in Epilepsy Treatment

During your journey, you’ll need to work together with doctors, other health care professionals, and the epilepsy community to get the care that’s best for you. Understand the actions you should take in your epilepsy treatment.

Learn about your role in epilepsy treatment

Seizure Medicines

There are many different medicines that can prevent or stop seizures. Seizure medicines successfully control seizures for about 70% of people with epilepsy.

Learn about seizure medicine options

Epilepsy Surgery

If you have persistent uncontrolled seizures, it might be time to consider epilepsy surgery. Advances in science and technology have led to new epilepsy surgery options.

Learn about epilepsy surgery and how to prepare

Seizure Devices

While medicines and surgery may be effective for some, others might find these treatment options unavailable or ineffective. Seizure devices send small electric currents to the nervous system, and they change how brain cells act and help them go back to their normal state.

Learn more about the different seizure devices

Epilepsy Centers

An epilepsy center is a special unit in a clinic or hospital that provides comprehensive care for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy center specialists are experts in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of epilepsy.

Learn more about epilepsy centers and where to find one

Dietary Therapies

Special diets can also help control seizures. The most common diets are the ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet, low glycemic diet, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diet.

Learn about the specific foods behind each diet

Seizure Rescue Therapies

Certain medicines can stop seizures quickly and prevent emergency situations. These medications get into the bloodstream quickly, to start working in the brain.

Learn about the different rescue medicines

Alternative Therapies

Complementary health approaches are different from the medicines or surgery usually prescribed by doctors and other mainstream health professionals. These include natural herbs such as medical cannabis or mind and body practices like yoga.

Learn about alternative epilepsy therapies

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials provide another option for those looking for other treatment options. Researchers need volunteers to find new ways to treat seizures.

Learn about participating in clinical trials

Related Resources

Seizure Medication List

In-depth information on epilepsy medications to help you choose the right one.

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Epilepsy Device Wiki

Explore our searchable catalog of devices and apps developed for epilepsy.

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Epilepsy Pipeline Tracker

A community-supported tool that provides updates on new drugs, devices, and more.

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My Seizure Diary

My Seizure Diary helps you record, track, and manage your seizures and epilepsy.

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Bri’s Story

Bri was diagnosed with epilepsy at five years old. She had around twenty-one seizures a week, experienced multiple EEGs, tried multiple medications, and was prescribed twenty pills a day.

Read More

Find an Epilepsy Specialist

Ready for help? Find an Epilepsy specialist who can help you evaluate treatment options.