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Most people with seizures will be referred to a hospital specialist. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will try to work out:
Tests for epilepsy
When you arrive, the nurse running the clinic will ask some simple questions and may do some basic tests, such as weighing you and measuring your height. They may also want to test a sample of urine, to check for things such as infections or abnormal levels of sugar.
The neurologist will ask questions to try and find out more about your individual situation.
This will include questions about:
Some questions may seem odd or irrelevant, but can be helpful in ruling out other conditions or causes of seizure.
The neurologist will then want to examine you to check your heart and lungs, and particularly your nervous system.
They may also order some painless tests, including:
If the neurologist diagnoses epilepsy, they may recommended you start taking anti-epileptic medication. You may also be given advice about possible changes to make to your lifestyle.
Don't hesitate to ask about anything you don't understand or want to know more about. The more you know about your condition, the better you’ll be able to control it.
- If you have definitely had a seizure.
- If you’re likely to have another (after two seizures, the chance of having more is 80 to 90 per cent).
- The underlying cause of the seizures.
Tests for epilepsy
When you arrive, the nurse running the clinic will ask some simple questions and may do some basic tests, such as weighing you and measuring your height. They may also want to test a sample of urine, to check for things such as infections or abnormal levels of sugar.
The neurologist will ask questions to try and find out more about your individual situation.
This will include questions about:
- Your symptoms.
- Past illnesses like meningitis.
- Details of your birth – was it normal or were there complications?
- Past history of any head injury or accidents.
- Any medication you're taking.
- General health, such as sleep or diet.
- The general health in your family and whether any of them have epilepsy.
- Lifestyle, such as smoking or drinking.
Some questions may seem odd or irrelevant, but can be helpful in ruling out other conditions or causes of seizure.
The neurologist will then want to examine you to check your heart and lungs, and particularly your nervous system.
They may also order some painless tests, including:
- EEG (electroencephalogram) - measures the electrical activity of the brain using about 20 pads placed on your head.
- CT (computerised tomography - produces very clear pictures of your brain which are important to rule out a brain tumour; the cause of epilepsy in a few cases (but very rarely in absent seizures).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves and is gradually replacing CT as the investigation of choice, as it's much better at showing brain abnormalities. It’s painless but you usually have to lie still inside a tunnel which can be a little claustrophobic.
- Blood tests - may be needed to rule out certain causes of seizure. These tests should give the neurologist a good idea of your condition. You may have to return to the clinic a week or two later for the results.
If the neurologist diagnoses epilepsy, they may recommended you start taking anti-epileptic medication. You may also be given advice about possible changes to make to your lifestyle.
Don't hesitate to ask about anything you don't understand or want to know more about. The more you know about your condition, the better you’ll be able to control it.