Personalized Care for Seizures in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Seizures are uncontrolled convulsions or spasms due to abnormal patterns of electrical activity in the brain. Some seizures can be isolated events. Recurrent seizures can be a sign of epilepsy. There are many types of seizures with many symptoms because any part of the brain — or the entire brain — can be affected.
Call Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals at (702) 616-4900 or find a neurologist online who treats seizures in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.
If a seizure seems to be severe or life threatening, dial 911 for emergency medical attention.
What Causes Seizures?
Seizures can arise from any disease, event, or disorder that damages the brain or stimulates unusual electrical activity in it. Your doctor will try to figure out the cause of your seizure as quickly as possible. Sometimes, seizures may not have a known cause. Some common causes of seizure include:
- Fever
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Stroke
- Liver or kidney failure
- Brain tumor, infection, or injury
- Drug or alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Dementia and other diseases that affect the brain, such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease
- Brain surgery (neurosurgery)
- Medication side effects
- Birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders
Seizure Symptoms
Symptoms of seizures can vary depending on the underlying condition and the type of seizure. The most common types of seizures are grand mal, petit mal, and partial seizures.
- Grand mal seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures affect the entire brain. Complete loss of consciousness and spasms of the entire body are hallmarks of grand mal seizures.
- Petit mal seizures may only be a brief episode of unresponsiveness and staring.
- Partial seizures may have very specific symptoms and only affect a small part of the brain. For example, someone may only experience hearing, tasting, or smelling something that isn’t there.
Following a seizure, the person may be tired and need to rest. Changes in behavior and mood, fatigue, and weakness are normal after seizures.
Treatment for Seizures at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
Treatment of seizures depends on the underlying cause and type of seizure. In many cases, treating the underlying cause of the seizures resolves them and prevents them from returning.
For recurrent seizures or epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe medications. The goal is to reduce the frequency of seizures and control them. In severe cases, electrical stimulation and surgery may be necessary.
Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican offers complete neurological care for people with seizures in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.