UofL Physicians – Neurology, part of UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute, provides top-tier neurological care through its comprehensive epilepsy services. With a strong emphasis on cutting-edge research, advanced medical technology and compassionate patient care, our team offers an integrated approach to diagnosing and managing seizure disorders, including Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES). Our team prioritizes continuity of care and improving your quality of life through innovative treatment options and personalized care plans.
Types of Seizures and Epilepsy
There are many types of epilepsy, and all types cause seizures. It can be hard to determine what type of epilepsy you have because of the numerous possible causes. Some specific types of seizures are:
- Generalized seizure
- Partial complex seizure
- Simple partial seizure
- Drop attacks
Just as there are many different kinds of seizures, there are many different kinds of epilepsy. Doctors have identified hundreds of different epilepsy syndromes — disorders characterized by a specific set of symptoms that include epilepsy. Some of the more common forms include:
- Absence epilepsy
- Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
- Temporal lobe epilepsy
- Neocortical epilepsy
Revolutionizing Care with an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at UofL Health – Jewish Hospital is dedicated to providing quality care, diagnosis and treatment for those with epilepsy. Using the latest equipment and procedures, our specialists can capture an event or seizure and correlate that with video and medical imaging to truly diagnose whether or not a seizure is occurring. A family member is encouraged to accompany the patient throughout your stay.
The unit features large, comfortable, private rooms that are fully equipped and monitored throughout the night. During monitoring in the EMU, seizure medications may be decreased or temporarily discontinued. Prior to discharge from the hospital, medications are reintroduced and/or modified based on the information obtained. The EMU is staffed 24 hours by nurses who are specially trained to care for epilepsy patients.
Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment Services
The first step in designing a treatment program is a comprehensive evaluation. Evaluations for patients with seizures require an interdisciplinary approach. The center is staffed by neurology experts in epilepsy, epilepsy neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, neurodiagnostic technologists, epilepsy nurse specialists, epilepsy coordinators and additional staff with special expertise in seizure disorders.
Non-surgical treatment options that may be incorporated into your care plan include:
- Counseling and education
- Neuropsychological exam
- Medication and side-effect assessment
- Epilepsy rehabilitation
Some surgical treatment options that may help manage your condition include:
- Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)
- Responsive neurostimulation (RNS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Vagal nerve stimulation
Seizure and Epilepsy Research
At UofL Health, our providers are more than just doctors—they are also researchers and educators, helping train the next generation of medical professionals at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Through this collaboration, our providers work to discover new treatments and cures for seizures and epilepsy.
Making an Appointment with a Specialist
Your primary care provider may refer you to a neurologist if you’re experiencing neurological issues, or you can make an appointment yourself with one of our seizure and epilepsy specialists by calling 502-588-4800.
Can’t make it to an in-person appointment? UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute provides a convenient telehealth option for neurology care.
Learn more about telehealth or how to schedule a telehealth appointment
UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute
