1. Epilepsy Slideshow
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3. Take the Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) Quiz

Author:

Diamond Vrocher III, MD

Coauthor:

Mark J. Lowell, MD

Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Very few risks are associated with an EEG. The patient may be asked not to take certain seizure or antidepressant medications 1 to 2 days before having an EEG. This may make the person more prone to having a seizure, which is exactly what the doctor would like to measure. During an EEG, the doctor may encourage the things that stimulate seizures, such as deep breathing or flashing lights, so that he or she can see what happens in the brain during the seizures.

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