More about epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving the brain and makes people susceptible to having recurrent, unprovoked seizures. A seizure occurs when parts of the brain receive a burst of abnormal electrical signals that temporarily interrupt normal brain function.

Anything that overstimulates the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. If a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, he or she has epilepsy. Even after one seizure, someone can be considered to have epilepsy if they have a brain injury.

There are many different types of seizures, and they are classified by the amount of brain that is affected. Two broad categories of epileptic seizures are generalized and focal. Within these categories, there are many different seizure subtypes.

Spectrum Health is West Michigan's first Level 4 epilepsy center as designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). We have non-invasive diagnoses and innovative treatments to help get seizures under control.

Our Comprehensive Epilepsy Program has a team of epileptologists (epilepsy specialists), nurses, medical assistants, EEG technologists, social workers, counsellors, nurse practitioners, neuropsychologists, and epilepsy neurosurgeons who are ready to address all of your seizure and epilepsy-related issues.