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Diagnosis of Epilepsy



There are a number of tests for epilepsy to determine what type of seizures a person is suffering from. In some cases, the symptoms may not even be due to epilepsy of seizures and caused instead by other non-epileptic disorders. A proper diagnosis of epilepsy would include:

• Complete medical history

• Blood tests to screen for genetic or metabolic disorders as well as possible causes of epilepsy such as poisoning, anemia, infections and diabetes

• Tests to measure motor abilities, IQ tests, behavioral tests and neurological tests

• Detailed physical exam

• Kidney function tests

• Liver function tests

• Spinal tap or lumbar puncture

• EEG monitoring to record brain waves and electrical activity in the brain

• Video monitoring may accompany an EEG to determine the type of seizure

• Brain scans such as CT scans, MRI and PET scans

• The latest technology in brain scans is the MEG or magneto encephalogram. This offers an in-depth detection of brain signals but is still in the experimental stage.



Frequently asked questions

• Is There Any Natural Medication For Epilepsy?
• What To Do When Someone Has An Epileptic Seizure?
• How Is Epilepsy Treated?
• Is Garlic An Aphrodiasic?

References

1. Danielle A.J.E. Lambrechts, Laura H.P. Wielders, Albert P. Aldenkamp, Fons G.H. Kessels, Reina J.A. de Kinderen, Marian J.M. Majoie, The ketogenic diet as a treatment option in adults with chronic refractory epilepsy: Efficacy and tolerability in clinical practice, Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 23, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 310-314, ISSN 1525-5050, 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.01.002. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505012000066)
2. Srishti Nangia, Roberto H. Caraballo, Hoon-Chul Kang, Douglas R. Nordli, Ingrid E. Scheffer, Is the ketogenic diet effective in specific epilepsy syndromes?, Epilepsy Research, Volume 100, Issue 3, July 2012, Pages 252-257, ISSN 0920-1211, 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2012.01.015.