1. Provide a Medical History and Undergo an Exam
In order to diagnose your seizure type, you need to first provide your physician with a description of the episodes. If you are unaware of what happens during your seizures, have a friend or family member attend the appointment with you, so he can discuss your symptoms with the doctor. In addition to taking a medical history, the physician will conduct a neurological exam in order to assess things like muscle tone, strength, coordination and posture.
2. Have an Electroencephalograph
An electroencephalograph (EEG) records your brain activity through small electrodes attached to the scalp. People without epilepsy exhibit a normal brain wave pattern during sleep or wakefulness while seizure patients often have abnormal brain waves, even when they're not experiencing seizures. Different brain wave patterns indicate different seizure types and may even give neurologists insight into the specific areas that are causing the episodes. Since it is painless to have an EEG, it is an effective way to diagnose seizures in children as well.
3. Undergo an MRI or CT Scan
Brain tests like MRIs and CTs divulge neurological signal abnormalities that lead to seizure activity, so your doctor will want to conduct imaging tests during your diagnostic process. Like EEGs, MRIs and CT scans are painless tools, but they can reveal tumors, infections, blood clots or other complicating conditions that may be causing epileptic or nonepileptic episodes.
4. Screen Spinal Fluid
Another test for epilepsy is a lumbar puncture--also called a spinal tap. This test assesses pressure surrounding the spinal cord and brain and can detect disorders that affect the central nervous system, including seizures. In addition, evaluation of your spinal fluid may reveal bacteria, fungi or other abnormalities that may be causing seizure activity.
5. Rule Out Complicating Medical Conditions
It's important for your neurologist to make sure your seizures are not caused by outlying health issues, like heart problems, meningitis, brain tumors or vascular disease. When seizure episodes are spurred by other medical conditions, your physician may need to refer you to an appropriate specialist to deal directly with the condition rather than merely trying to stop the resulting seizures.
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