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Has your doctor told you that you should have an appointment with an epileptologist ? If you are not familiar with what epileptologists do, you might be unsure what to expect from the meeting.
In this article, you’ll learn about epileptologists and what they do.
An epileptologist is a kind of neurologist. So, to start with, it’s helpful to understand more about neurology.
What is neurology?
The human nervous system is made of billions of cells that help you communicate with the outside world and also control many parts of your body. The system uses cells called neurons that send signals to each other, and to and from the brain. Your nervous system controls many things, from moving your muscles, to your heartbeat and breathing. Medical doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the nervous system are called neurologists.
What does a neurologist do?
According to the American Academy of Neurology, a neurologist can be defined as: “a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system”.
There are over 600 different types of neurological conditions. Some neurologists choose to become general neurologists, which means that they will see people with all different kinds of brain, spine and nervous system problems. Others choose to specialize in one condition, such as epilepsy (epileptologists).
In the United States, neurologists spend many years in training before they are fully qualified. And, if they wish to specialize in particular illnesses such as epilepsy (or other brain issues like dementia, headaches or stroke) they may need to do one or two more years of study.
How can a neurologist help with epilepsy?
Some people with epilepsy find their seizures can be managed using anti seizure medications (ASMs). However, around one third of people with epilepsy have seizures that cannot be controlled with regular medication (this is called drug-resistant epilepsy). In this case it may be useful to visit a comprehensive epilepsy centre for specialist care where you may be seen by an epileptologist.
Epilepsy centers have sophisticated technologies which can help with diagnosis and treatment.
A 2016 article in a neurology journal estimated that less than 1% of people with drug-resistant epilepsy are being referred to epilepsy centers where they can be seen by an epileptologist - and it can take 20 years or more before they see a specialist. This suggests that it may be valuable for some people to ask their doctor for a referral if standard treatment isn’t leading to seizure freedom.
What tools do neurologists use?
Epileptologists may use a wide variety of tools to help them diagnose and understand what is going on for their patients. These tools and methods could include:
Learn more: What is seizure tracking and why’s it important?
Ways to find an epileptologist (epilepsy neurologist)
Your family doctor or community neurologist may be able to refer you to an epileptologist or a epilepsy center. There are also several online tools to find neurologists or epilepsy centers. If you find an epileptologist by yourself, always speak with your doctor first so they can give their approval before you book an appointment.
Talk to your doctor about epileptologists
If you have an upcoming appointment with an epileptologist, or you think it would be valuable for you to see one, speak with your doctor. They can advise you on how to prepare or refer you for an appointment.
