What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the central nervous system. Epilepsy symptoms vary from one person to another. Patients with epilepsy are likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Recurrent seizures
- Abnormal behavior
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
It’s important to understand the symptoms to know if you should get tested for epilepsy. It can affect people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. Nearly three million people in the United States have epilepsy, according to the .
You or your loved one should come to our epilepsy clinic if you are not responding to medication or have persistent seizures and side effects. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ of Utah Health is here to help you control your seizures and help you get your life back.
LEVEL 4 EPILEPSY CENTER
with a wide range of epilepsy procedures & extensive testing
MOUNTAIN WEST'S FIRST
long-term monitoring unit
MORE THAN 150
epilepsy surgeries performed in 2023 & 2024
20+ CLINICAL TRIALS
ongoing with pharmaceutical & device companies
Why Choose Ï㽶ÊÓƵ of Utah Health?
U of U Health offers comprehensive epilepsy care with research-backed treatments. We are only one of a few Level 4 epilepsy centers in the United States. A Level 4 epilepsy center performs extensive testing for evaluation and a broad range of treatments and surgical procedures:
- Epilepsy surgical resection
- Laser ablation
- Responsive neurostimulation
- Deep brain stimulation
- Vagus nerve stimulation
Your epilepsy care team collaborates with providers from multiple specialties:
- Epileptologists
- Epilepsy neurosurgeon
- Neuroradiologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Nurses
- Technologists
"I can go out in my yard and garden. I haven't had to call in sick to work because I've had a seizure. My daughter and I can go ride bikes together, which was something risky to do when I was having seizures. My older kids ask me to babysit and care for my grandkids more often. I can be myself again."
Find an Epilepsy Specialist
Diagnostic Tools & Tests We Use
Diagnostic Tests We Use
We offer several diagnostic tools and tests to determine if you or your loved one has epilepsy:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Intracranial monitoring
- Long-term monitoring
- Neuropsychological testing
- Wada testing
A neurologist will determine which tests you'll need after your initial consultation.
Epilepsy Treatments
We will always start your treatment plan with epilepsy medications. Your odds of becoming seizure-free go down with each additional medication trial. However, please keep in mind that medication doesn’t work in one-third of epilepsy patients.
Surgery may be an option if medication does not cure or control your epilepsy. Research has shown that surgical treatment consistently provides the best outcomes. Our specialists will determine if surgery benefits you. Your seizures must be in a part of your brain where surgery helps.
Our epilepsy specialists are highly trained in hard-to-treat cases of epilepsy.
Epilepsy Surgery Options
Can Epilepsy Be Cured?
Epilepsy can be cured for some people. You are cured of epilepsy if you meet the following criteria:
- Seizure-free for 10 years
- Gone at least five years without medication
Make An Appointment With Our Epilepsy Program
Many epilepsy symptoms mirror symptoms of other medical conditions. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and rule out other potential causes. Talk to your primary care provider if you think that you or your loved one might have epilepsy. Many primary care providers can diagnose epilepsy and prescribe you medication to start.
Patients can call 801-585-7575 or request an appointment online to see an epilepsy program provider. Some insurance plans will ask for a referral from a primary care provider to see a specialist. Our schedulers can request a referral from your primary care provider. You can also contact your insurance carrier for questions about your coverage.
