Epilepsy Treatment in Hyderabad: What to Expect, and Can It Be Controlled?

A first seizure is one of the most frightening things a person or family can experience. The immediate question is almost always: "Will it happen again?" The answer depends on the type of epilepsy, the underlying cause, and whether the right treatment is started. The reassuring news: with modern antiepileptic drugs, the majority of people with epilepsy live completely seizure-free.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart, or one seizure with a high risk of recurrence. A "seizure" is an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain — which can cause anything from a brief staring spell to a full convulsion with shaking and loss of consciousness.

Not all seizures are the same, and not all seizures mean you have epilepsy. Seizures can be provoked by fever (especially in young children — called febrile seizures), very low blood sugar, head injury, or other causes.

Diagnosing Epilepsy

The diagnosis involves:

• A detailed clinical history — what happened before, during, and after the episode. A witness account is invaluable.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram) — records electrical activity in the brain. Abnormal activity (called epileptiform discharges) helps confirm epilepsy and classify the type.
• MRI Brain — looks for structural causes such as scars, tumours, or malformations.
• Blood tests — to rule out metabolic causes (low blood sugar, sodium, calcium).

Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center has an in-house EEG lab — patients can have the EEG done on the same day as the consultation.

Treatment: Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)

Medication is the primary treatment for epilepsy. There are more than 20 AEDs available today. The right choice depends on the seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, age, gender, other health conditions, and other medications.

• Commonly used AEDs in India include sodium valproate, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, and clobazam
• Most people start on one drug and are monitored for 3–6 months before any changes are made
• About 70% of people achieve seizure freedom with the first or second medication tried

How Long Is Treatment?

This depends on the type of epilepsy. Most adults with epilepsy are treated for a minimum of 2 years of being seizure-free before considering medication reduction. Some forms of childhood epilepsy resolve on their own; others require lifelong treatment.

Never stop AED medication suddenly without medical supervision. Sudden withdrawal can trigger severe seizures, including status epilepticus — a prolonged seizure that is a medical emergency.

Lifestyle Adjustments

While on epilepsy treatment:

• Maintain regular sleep — sleep deprivation is one of the most common seizure triggers
• Avoid alcohol entirely
• Swimming alone is unsafe — always swim with a companion
• Driving restrictions apply — in India, a person with epilepsy should not drive until they have been seizure-free for at least 1 year
• Take medication at the same time every day — never miss doses

What If Medication Doesn't Work?

About 30% of people have drug-resistant epilepsy. Options in this case include trying different drug combinations, surgical evaluation, vagus nerve stimulation, and the ketogenic diet (especially in children). A referral to a comprehensive epilepsy centre may be required.

"Epilepsy is not a life sentence. It is a manageable condition. I have patients who were having daily seizures who are now seizure-free for 5+ years and living completely normal lives."

Dr. Anand Karnam provides epilepsy diagnosis and management at Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar — with in-house EEG testing. Serving Miyapur, Ameenpur, Lingampally and all of western Hyderabad. Call +91 90633 66983.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand Karnam, MBBS · DNB · DrNB · FWHS. Follows IAN epilepsy guidelines and ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) standards of care.