Diagnosing Epilepsy
Your primary care provider may be the first doctor to evaluate you for epilepsy. He or she may then refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. This specialist may be a neurologist (a doctor who treats the brain). Your evaluation will include a medical history, physical and neurologic exams, and tests.
Medical History
This is the most important part of your evaluation. The doctor will ask you to describe your seizures. The doctor may also want to talk to family or friends who have observed your seizures. In addition, your doctor will ask about your risk factors. These are things that make you more likely to have epilepsy, and include:
Premature birth (being born before your due date)
A family history of epilepsy
Past nervous system infection
A previous head or brain injury
Past stroke or brain tumor
A history of febrile seizures (childhood seizures caused by high fever)
Use of illegal drugs or alcohol
Physical and Neurologic Exams
The physical exam checks your overall health. Your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature are taken. The neurologic exam checks certain functions of your brain. These include reflexes, balance, muscle strength, and coordination. Mental skills, such as language and memory, and nerve function of the body are also checked.
Tests for Epilepsy
After the exams are done, the doctor may order some tests. EEG and MRI are the most common tests used to support a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An EEG records electrical activity in the brain. It can show abnormal signals that may indicate seizure activity. In some cases, it can point to the area of the brain where seizures might start.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests may be used to create detailed pictures of the brain. These tests include MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography).
Blood Tests and Other Tests
You may have a sample of blood taken and tested. Other tests may also be done. These tests can help rule out certain health problems or provide more information.