Medication
Most anti-seizure medications are classified as anticonvulsants, which means they work to decrease abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Most patients can have their seizures controlled with one kind of anticonvulsant (such as valproic acid or gabapentin), though some patients will need to take a combination of medications. In general, a physician will start an epileptic patient off on a low dose of a medication and increase the dose gradually to limit side effects.
Surgery
In some cases, seizures are caused by a very specific part of the brain. This could be a brain tumor causing a disruption in the brain's electrical activity, or it could be a small area of the brain that is sending out abnormal electrical signals. If these abnormal areas are small and easily accessed surgically, then surgeons may elect to treat the seizures by removing the abnormal tissue. Although not all patients with seizures can be treated this way, this kind of treatment can be extremely effective and can render patients seizure-free.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
If other treatment options don't work, vagus nerve stimulation is an option. The vagus nerve runs through the chest and controls a lot of the body's reflexes and other unconscious actions (such as breathing and heart rate). Patients with seizures can be treated using small devices that provide electrical stimulation to that nerve. Typically this device will deliver short bursts of electricity every few minutes. Although doctors don't totally understand how this type of treatment works, it can be effective for patients who have not had their seizure controlled with medication and are not candidates for surgery.
