Epilepsy and Seizure Care in Inwood, NY
A seizure is a sudden change in the brain's electrical activity. It can cause shaking, staring spells, confusion or a brief loss of awareness. At Five Towns Neurology, we help children and adults find out what happened and what to do next.
Symptoms we evaluate
Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures. Not every seizure means epilepsy, and not every episode that looks like a seizure is one. We evaluate:
- Shaking or jerking of the whole body, an arm or a leg
- Staring spells or moments of blanking out
- Sudden confusion, or gaps in time you cannot account for
- Strange feelings that come on suddenly, such as an odd smell or taste, or a rising feeling in the stomach
- Waking with a bitten tongue, sore muscles or a wet bed
- Seizures with fever in young children (febrile seizures)
- Fainting spells (syncope)
Fainting or seizure?
Fainting and seizures can look alike, and telling them apart matters because the causes and treatment are different. Fainting (syncope) usually happens when blood flow to the brain drops for a moment, and most people recover quickly. A seizure starts with the brain's electrical activity. Brief jerking can happen with fainting too, which is one reason the two are easy to confuse. If you passed out or had an episode no one can explain, an evaluation can help sort out which it was.
How we find the cause
We start with a detailed history and exam. If someone saw the episode, bring them along or ask them to write down what they saw. A phone video of an episode can also help.
EEG testing is done in our office, and an ambulatory EEG lets us record at home. Read about each test on our Tests We Do page.
- 30-minute EEG: small sensors on the scalp record your brain waves to look for patterns linked to seizures.
- Extended EEG (40 to 60 minutes): the same test over a longer time, so more brain activity can be recorded.
- Ambulatory video EEG: you wear a small recorder at home, usually for 48 hours (sometimes 24 or 72), while a synced video camera captures what happens during any episode.
- Open MRI: brain imaging through Village Open MRI, a division of our practice, to look for a cause.
Your care plan
If the tests point to epilepsy, we explain what type of seizures you have and talk through treatment options. Many people with epilepsy take a daily medicine, and finding the right one can take time and follow-up visits.
We also talk about everyday safety, such as sleep, triggers and driving. If an episode turns out to be fainting, we look at likely causes and work with your primary doctor or cardiologist.
Five Towns Neuroscience Research, a division of our practice, runs clinical trials. Ask whether a study might fit you.
When to see a neurologist
Call 911 for a first seizure, a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or a seizure followed by trouble breathing or not waking up.
Book a visit with a neurologist if:
- You were seen in the emergency room for a seizure and need follow-up
- You have staring spells, jerks or lost time
- You have fainted more than once, or without a clear reason
- Seizures still happen even with treatment
- Your child has had a seizure, with or without a fever
- You have epilepsy and are planning a pregnancy
Insurance
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Please see the plans we take, or call us to confirm your coverage.
Other conditions we treat
Visit Five Towns Neurology
Our office is at 233 Doughty Blvd, Inwood, NY 11096, in southwest Nassau County. Call (516) 239-1800. Hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 2pm. We are closed on Saturday.
Allow at least 3 hours for your first visit. It includes a full history and physical exam, and testing is usually done the same day when possible. Bring your medications, past test results and MRIs, your insurance card, and a referral if your plan needs one. Read about your first visit or contact us to book.