What Disorders Can Cause Seizures?

Symptoms of seizures may include:

• Motor symptoms 
  • Tense or rigid muscles (tonic)
  • Sustained rhythmic jerking movements (clonic)
  • Muscle weakness or limpness (atonic) 
  • Brief muscle twitching (myoclonus)
  • Epileptic spasms (body flexes and extends repeatedly)
  • Jerking (clonic)
  • Repeated automatic movements (automatisms), such as clapping or rubbing of hands, lip-smacking, chewing, or running
• Non-motor symptoms (absence seizures) 
  • Staring spells
  • Brief twitches that can affect a specific body part or just the eyelids
  • Changes in sensation
  • Mood changes
  • Changes in thinking or cognition
  • Changes in autonomic functions (such as gastrointestinal sensations, waves of heat or cold, goosebumps, heart racing, etc.)
  • Lack of movement (behavior arrest)

A doctor such as a neurologist can diagnose and treat disorders that cause seizures, including epilepsy. Some doctors may specialize in epilepsy. 

Tests

There are many tests used to diagnose seizures. These tests may include:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) checks for brain wave patterns consistent with seizure activity
• Brain imaging to look for abnormal areas such as a tumor or infection
  • X-ray of the brain
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan 
• Blood tests to check for certain medical disorders
• Lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to check the heart
• Sleep testing

Treatments and Medications

• Treatment for seizures usually involves anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
• Other therapies may include a special diet (such as the ketogenic diet) to control seizures.
• Epilepsy surgery may be performed to stop seizures or minimize their risks.