A medical doctor who specializes in treating patients with epilepsy is known as an epileptologist. Imaging tests are used to analyze brain function, and medications are prescribed to help patients manage their symptoms. Furthermore, many doctors conduct their own epilepsy research in order to better understand the condition and stay current on the latest drugs and treatments. To earn their licenses and prepare to help patients with complex seizure disorders, epileptologists must complete extensive education and training requirements.
Epilepsy is a type of brain disorder that causes seizures in people. It’s a complicated disorder that can have a variety of causes and manifest itself in a variety of ways. Although most neurologists are familiar with the condition and can provide basic diagnoses and treatments, epileptologists are required to provide expert patient analysis. Patients who are referred to an epileptologist have their medical histories reviewed, diagnostic brain scans interpreted, and questions about their symptoms asked. The severity of a patient’s condition can be determined an epileptologist, who can then determine the best course of treatment.
Anticonvulsant medications are commonly prescribed epileptologists, who also schedule regular checkups with their patients to monitor symptoms. Doctors also provide information on how people can lower their risk of having seizures and what family members can do to protect themselves in the event of an epileptic fit. If a patient’s epilepsy is severe and not responding to medication, the epileptologist may refer them to a brain surgeon for a delicate procedure.
Many epileptologists specialize in treating children and adolescents under the age of 18. Seizure disorders in children and adolescents can manifest themselves differently than in adults, necessitating specialized knowledge of pediatric epilepsy to ensure proper treatment. A pediatric epileptologist is usually well-versed in communicating with children in a friendly and understandable manner. He or she can explain the condition to a child patient and help them feel more at ease during examinations and treatments.
An individual must first complete four years of study at an accredited medical school before becoming an epileptologist. A new doctor can enter a three-year residency program at a general hospital after graduation, where he or she will be able to work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians. Following residency, a successful resident can pursue a two- to four-year neurology fellowship to gain detailed, hands-on experience with patients with nervous system disorders. Before a doctor can take a licensing exam and start practicing independently, they must complete an additional two years of training in a highly specialized epilepsy program.
The majority of licensed epileptologists work in private practices or in collaboration with other neurologists. Patients with seizure disorders are referred to epileptologists their primary care physicians or hospital doctors. Instead of working in a private practice, an epileptologist might choose to work in a general hospital or clinic, making himself or herself available to patients with broader symptoms or undiagnosed conditions.