Epilepsy Treatment & Care

Epilepsy is a condition that affects millions of people. However, with proper care, most can lead full and active lives. 

At Banner Health, you’re never alone on this journey. Our epilepsy specialists provide advanced treatments, compassionate care and ongoing support to help you manage seizures and improve your quality of life.

Goals of epilepsy treatment 

The primary goal of epilepsy treatment is seizure freedom (to be seizure-free) helping to ensure your safety and improve your quality of life.   

Living with epilepsy can be challenging but treatment can help you control seizures. The right care often allows you to attend school, work, drive and participate in daily activities safely.

Treatment options for epilepsy

There are several ways to treat epilepsy. Your care team will guide you through the best options based on your age, health, seizure type and lifestyle.

Anti-seizure medications 

Anti-seizure medicines are often the first line of treatment. These medicines help slow down the brain’s electrical signals to stop seizures from happening.

• How they work: Each medication targets certain channels and electrical signals in the brain to help reduce specific kinds of seizures.
• Finding the right fit: It may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you.
• Monitoring: Your provider will check for side effects and adjust your prescription as needed. Side effects may include dizziness, tiredness, changes in mood or problems with memory.

For many people, medications successfully control seizures. Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Skipping doses or stopping suddenly can make seizures worse.

For some patients, medications may not fully control seizures even when taking more than one appropriately chosen medication at the correct dosages. This is called drug-resistant epilepsy.

If this happens, your provider may recommend other treatments like surgery or a device. They may also suggest more in-depth evaluation and monitoring (sometimes at a specialized epilepsy center or monitoring unit) to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment for your specific types of seizures.

Epilepsy surgery 

When medicines don't work, surgery might be the best choice.

The goal of surgery is to take out or stop the part of the brain where seizures start, without affecting important functions like talking, memory or movement.

Types of epilepsy surgery:

• Resective surgery: Removes the small part of the brain where seizures begin.
• Laser ablation (LITT): Uses heat energy to target and destroy seizure-causing brain tissue. It is less invasive and often has a quicker recovery time.
• Corpus callosotomy: Separates the two sides of the brain to stop seizures from spreading. It is often used for children with severe generalized seizures.
• Multiple subpial transections: Makes small cuts in brain tissue to stop seizures from spreading when the area cannot be removed safely.

Many patients who have epilepsy surgery experience fewer seizures and some become seizure-free. 

Like any surgery, there are risks involved. These can include issues with memory, speech, vision or movement. Your care team will review these risks with you and help you choose the best option.

Neuromodulation therapies

Some people benefit from implantable devices that send gentle electrical signals to the brain or nerves. These signals help prevent or lessen the frequency of seizures.

Common devices include:

• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): A small device placed under the skin in the chest sends signals to the vagus nerve in the neck.
• Responsive neurostimulation (RNS): Works like a pacemaker for the brain. A device implanted in the skull detects unusual brain activity and sends small electrical pulses to stop seizures.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): Electrodes placed deep in the brain send regular signals to help control seizures.

These treatments do not usually cure epilepsy but they can reduce seizure frequency and severity for many patients.

Dietary therapy

For some people, especially children, special diets can help reduce seizures. These diets change how the body uses energy.

• Ketogenic diet: A high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet
• Modified Atkins diet: A less strict but still effective alternative

You should always get help from a registered dietitian or nutritionist when changing your diet.

Therapy and support

Epilepsy can affect more than just your physical health. Our team offers services to support your emotional, mental and social well-being:

• Counseling and mental health care: To manage stress, anxiety or depression
• Neuropsychology: To assess memory, learning and thinking skills
• Occupational therapy: To help you adapt daily activities to stay safe and independent
• Social work services: To connect you with community resources and support groups

Lifestyle and self-management

Everyday choices are important for controlling seizures. Here are some ways you can take control of your health:

• Get enough sleep each night
• Take your medication as prescribed
• Manage stress with exercise, relaxation or counseling
• Avoid seizure triggers like alcohol, flashing lights or missed meals (if these affect you)
• Develop a seizure action plan and share it with friends, family and trusted coworkers

Simple safety steps, like showering instead of bathing or wearing a medical ID bracelet, can also help reduce risks.

Ongoing care and monitoring

Epilepsy is a lifelong condition and care does not stop after diagnosis. At Banner Health, we provide:

• Ongoing follow-up visits to adjust treatment as needed
• Guidance on special considerations, such as pregnancy and childhood development and learning
• Advanced testing to track changes in seizure activity
• Access to clinical trials for new therapies
• Referrals to specialists in sleep, mental health or rehabilitation as needed

Support for family and caregivers

Epilepsy impacts the entire family. Our team supports caregivers by offering:

• Education about seizure first aid
• Counseling and support groups
• Resources for school and workplace accommodations
• Safety training for daily activities

Emergency care for seizures

Sometimes, a seizure can be very dangerous and need quick medical help. Call 911 if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if the person has trouble breathing or if another seizure starts right after. A condition called status epilepticus is when seizures don't stop; this needs emergency treatment.

At Banner Health, our emergency teams are trained to care for people with epilepsy and connect you quickly with specialized follow-up care.

How Banner Health can help

If your seizures are not controlled with medication or if they affect daily life, it may be time to see a specialist at Banner Health. As a nationally recognized center for epilepsy care, we bring together experts from multiple fields, including neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, dietitians, rehabilitation specialists and more.

With access to advanced medications, surgical options and supportive therapies, we can personalize treatment to your individual needs. We also offer opportunities to participate in clinical trials, providing you with access to the latest breakthroughs in epilepsy care.

Most importantly, we listen. Our team works with you to ensure you feel supported, informed and confident in your care plan. 

Find a neurologist near you.

Learn more about epilepsy.