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Appointments (707) 980-6636
Referral fax (707) 980-6692

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Condition

Seizure and epilepsy doctors in the Bay Area

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause shaking, staring spells, confusion or loss of awareness. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after two or more unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart. At INPM, neurologists evaluate seizures with in-office EEG, including sleep-deprived and long-term EEG, and manage treatment.

What are the symptoms of a seizure?

Seizures look different depending on where in the brain they start. They can include:

  • Shaking, jerking or twitching of the body
  • Staring into space or acting confused
  • Losing awareness, falling down or a sudden loss of muscle tone

When should you see a doctor?

Anyone who has had a first seizure should be evaluated. Call 911 if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, another seizure follows soon after the first, the person has trouble breathing or waking up, is injured, is pregnant, has diabetes and loses consciousness, has never had a seizure before, or if the seizure happens in water.

How are seizures diagnosed at INPM?

A detailed history is one of the best tools for understanding seizures, so bring anyone who saw the episode, or a video of it, to your visit. Your neurologist will also examine you and may order imaging and blood tests. The main test for seizure activity is the EEG:

What treatment options are available?

Most people with epilepsy are treated with antiseizure medicines, chosen according to the type of seizures. Healthy sleep habits matter, because lack of sleep is a strong seizure trigger. Surgery is usually considered only when several medicines have not controlled the seizures. At INPM, care for seizures and epilepsy includes medical management and lifestyle changes. GeneSight® genetic testing may provide additional information to help guide medication selection and dosing when applicable.

Who treats seizures and epilepsy at INPM?

Where can you be seen?

Walnut Woods Professional Park on Lennon Lane in Walnut Creek, where the INPM office is locatedEast Bay

INPM Walnut Creek

301 Lennon Lane, Suite 203
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

(707) 980-6636

Wed and Fri
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Directions to the Walnut Creek office
About the Walnut Creek office
The office building at 155 Glen Cove Marina Road in Vallejo, where the INPM office is locatedNorth Bay

INPM Vallejo

155 Glen Cove Marina Rd, Suite 100
Vallejo, CA 94591

(707) 980-6636

Mon, Tue and Thu
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Directions to the Vallejo office
About the Vallejo office

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Call the clinic(707) 980-6636How referrals workFax (707) 980-6692 or EPIC
01

Does one seizure mean I have epilepsy?

Not necessarily. Epilepsy is generally diagnosed after two or more unprovoked seizures separated by at least 24 hours. A single seizure still deserves a neurological evaluation.

02

Can lack of sleep trigger seizures?

Yes. Sleep deprivation is a powerful seizure trigger for people with epilepsy. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help reduce seizures.

Referral required

Start with a referral from your doctor

New patients are seen by referral. Your primary care physician can fax the referral to (707) 980-6692 or send it through EPIC, and our office will call you to schedule.

How referrals workCall (707) 980-6636
  • Referral fax (707) 980-6692
  • EPIC referral
  • We call you to schedule