Epilepsy Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition in which a person has a tendency to experience recurrent, unprovoked seizures. These seizures happen because of abnormal electrical activity in brain cells (neurons) that normally carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, epilepsy is diagnosed and treated by local neurologists and epilepsy specialists at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

How Epilepsy and Seizures Happen

The brain normally communicates through regular, controlled electrical impulses.

When this pattern is disrupted by sudden, excessive bursts of electrical activity, a seizure can occur. How a seizure looks and feels depends on:

  • Which part of the brain is affected
  • How much of the brain is involved
  • How long the abnormal activity lasts

Seizures can cause:

  • Loss of consciousness or awareness
  • Unusual movements (such as jerking or stiffening)
  • Odd sensations (smells, tastes, visual changes, tingling)
  • Changes in behavior, emotion, or speech

Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy. Some seizures are provoked by a clear cause (such as very high fever in infants, severe low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, or certain medications) and may never happen again if the cause is removed.

Over a lifetime, about 3% of people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. The main treatment is medication, which can control seizures in roughly 70% of people.

Types of Seizures

Generalized Onset Seizures

Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain from the start. Consciousness is usually impaired or lost.

Common types include:

Tonic-Clonic Seizure (Previously “Grand Mal”)

This is the seizure type most people recognize:

  • Person suddenly loses consciousness
  • Body becomes stiff (tonic phase)
  • Rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs follows (clonic phase)
  • They may fall, bite their tongue, or lose bladder control
  • Breathing can be irregular for a short time
  • Afterward, the person is often confused, very tired, and may sleep

Absence Seizure

More common in children:

  • Brief episodes (often just a few seconds)
  • The child “goes blank,” stares, and may have eyelid fluttering
  • No falling or major movements
  • Often mistaken for daydreaming or inattention
  • Recovery is quick, and the child may not realize a seizure occurred

Other Generalized Seizures

  • Tonic seizures – Sudden stiffening of muscles; can cause falls and injuries
  • Atonic seizures – Sudden loss of muscle tone; the person may drop to the ground (“drop attacks”), injuries are common
  • Myoclonic seizures – Brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles; may occur in clusters; consciousness is usually preserved and recovery is rapid

Focal Onset Seizures

In focal seizures, only a part of the brain is affected. Symptoms vary depending on which brain area is involved (for example, movement, vision, sensation, speech, or emotion).

There are two main types:

Focal Aware Seizure

The person remains aware but may experience:

  • Unpleasant smells or tastes
  • Nausea
  • “Déjà vu” or intense emotions such as fear or anxiety
  • Unusual sensations like tingling, visual changes, or a rising feeling in the stomach

These seizures are sometimes called an “aura”, especially when they occur before another seizure type (such as a focal impaired awareness seizure or a generalized tonic-clonic seizure).

Focal Impaired Awareness Seizure

Here, awareness is impaired or altered:

  • Person appears confused, “out of it,” or unresponsive
  • May perform repetitive or automatic movements, such as:
    • Fiddling with clothing
    • Chewing or lip-smacking
    • Making unusual sounds
  • They may not respond normally to others
  • Afterward, they are often drowsy, confused, and may not remember the seizure or the events just before and after it

Causes of Epilepsy

Anything that damages or scars the brain can potentially lead to seizures and epilepsy. In up to half of people with epilepsy, no clear cause is ever found.

Known causes include:

  • Brain injury (for example, from a car accident, fall, or sports injury – especially relevant in active communities like Grand Rapids)
  • Stroke (more common in older adults)
  • Brain infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
  • Structural abnormalities of the brain (present from birth or acquired later)
  • Genetic factors and inherited epilepsy syndromes

Seizures may also be triggered by circumstances such as:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Significant stress
  • Illness with fever
  • Alcohol or certain drugs
  • Missed doses of antiseizure medication

Diagnosing Epilepsy in Grand Rapids

Because seizures can be unpredictable and sometimes have no witnesses, diagnosis can be challenging. Even when tests are normal, a neurologist may still diagnose epilepsy based on a detailed history.

Common steps and tests include:

  • Medical history – including a thorough description of the event from you and any witnesses
  • Neurological examination
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) – measures electrical activity in the brain and looks for seizure patterns
  • Brain imaging:
    • CT (computed tomography)
    • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Blood tests (pathology) – to look for underlying causes or contributing factors

These services are available through neurology clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and other specialty centers in the Grand Rapids area.

Keeping a seizure diary can be very helpful. Record:

  • Date and time of each event
  • What happened before, during, and after
  • Possible triggers (sleep, stress, illness, missed medication, alcohol, flashing lights, etc.)

This information helps your Grand Rapids neurologist refine your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment of Epilepsy with Medication

Antiseizure Medications (ASMs)

Medication is the first-line treatment for epilepsy. Up to 70% of people can achieve good seizure control with the right antiseizure medication.

Your doctor will consider:

  • Type of epilepsy and seizure pattern
  • Likely risk of further seizures
  • Age and gender
  • Overall health and other medical conditions
  • Lifestyle (for example, shift work, driving, childcare responsibilities)
  • Potential side effects and medication costs

Some people achieve seizure control with one medication; others may need a combination.

Medications do not cure epilepsy; they aim to reduce or stop seizures. For some, treatment may be lifelong. For others, especially with age-related epilepsies or long remission, medication may eventually be reduced or stopped under specialist guidance.

Starting and Taking Antiseizure Medication

General principles:

  • Medication is usually started at a low dose and increased gradually (“start low, go slow”) until it:
    • Controls seizures, or
    • Causes side effects that are not tolerable
  • Do not change your dose on your own. Always follow your neurologist’s instructions.
  • Avoid switching to a different brand of the same medication without discussing it with your doctor, especially if your seizures are well controlled. Small differences between brands can affect seizure control.
  • Never stop antiseizure medication suddenly unless your doctor specifically tells you to. Stopping abruptly can trigger seizures and even a medical emergency.

Tools like a pill organizer (dosette box or Webster pack) and smartphone reminders are especially useful during busy Grand Rapids work and school schedules.

Side Effects and Drug Interactions

Possible side effects (vary by medication) include:

  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Mood changes, irritability, or depression
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Skin rash

Side effects are often more noticeable when starting a new medication and may improve over several weeks. Tell your GP or neurologist if:

  • Side effects persist
  • They are severe or troubling
  • You develop a rash or other serious reaction

Your doctor may:

  • Lower the dose
  • Switch to a different medication
  • Adjust other medications you are taking

Antiseizure medications can interact with:

  • Other prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter drugs (such as some cold and flu medicines)
  • Herbal products and vitamin supplements
  • Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, etc.)

Because Grand Rapids residents frequently use seasonal medications (for allergies, colds, and flu during Michigan winters), always let your doctor and pharmacist know all medications and supplements you take.

Epilepsy, Pregnancy, and Women’s Health

Women with epilepsy who are planning a pregnancy should talk with their neurologist and OB/GYN before conceiving. Medication changes may be needed to:

  • Minimize seizure risk
  • Reduce potential risks to the baby

Never stop or change epilepsy medication on your own during pregnancy planning or pregnancy. Local maternal-fetal medicine specialists in Grand Rapids can coordinate care with your neurologist.

When Medication Is Not Enough

Some people continue to have seizures despite trying several medications. In these cases, other treatments may be considered.

Epilepsy Surgery

Epilepsy can sometimes be caused by a small, abnormal area of brain tissue. If this area can be safely removed, seizures may be:

  • Greatly reduced, or
  • Stopped altogether

Epilepsy surgery is usually considered when:

  • Seizures are focal onset
  • Multiple medications have not worked
  • All seizures appear to come from the same brain region
  • That region does not control critical functions, such as speech or movement

Before surgery, you may have:

  • Detailed EEG monitoring (sometimes video-EEG)
  • High-resolution MRI
  • Neuropsychological testing
  • Other specialized tests

Only a small percentage of people with epilepsy are candidates for surgery. Your Grand Rapids neurologist may refer you to a regional epilepsy center for evaluation.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

A vagus nerve stimulator is a small device implanted under the skin of the upper chest. It sends regular, mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, which then affect brain activity.

VNS may be considered when:

  • Seizures are not well controlled with medication
  • Surgery is not an option

Benefits can include:

  • Fewer seizures
  • Less severe seizures
  • Shorter recovery after seizures
  • Improved alertness, mood, memory, and energy in some people

VNS rarely stops seizures completely and is not a replacement for medication. It can take 18 months to 2 years to see full benefits.

Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy

Dietary therapies are usually considered when medications are not effective.

Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet that causes the body to burn fat for energy, producing ketones. This metabolic state (“ketosis”) can reduce seizures in some people.

Key points:

  • Often used in children with difficult-to-control epilepsy or specific rare epilepsy syndromes
  • Strict, challenging, and requires strong family commitment
  • Typically started in the hospital under close medical and dietitian supervision
  • Requires regular monitoring of blood sugar, ketone levels, and growth in children

Modified Atkins and Low-Glycemic Index Diets

Less restrictive options include:

  • Modified Atkins diet
  • Low-glycemic index treatment diet

These:

  • Are usually easier to follow, especially for adults and teens
  • Do not require a hospital stay or fasting to begin
  • Do not require weighing all foods or counting every calorie

Studies show the modified Atkins diet can lower seizure rates in nearly half of adults who try it, and some adults may lose weight as a side benefit.

Dietary therapy should always be managed with guidance from a registered dietitian familiar with epilepsy, such as those available through major Grand Rapids health systems.

Seizure Triggers and Michigan-Specific Factors

Many people with epilepsy report certain triggers that seem to bring on seizures. These vary by person and can include:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Missed medication or sudden medication changes
  • Alcohol or recreational drugs
  • Flickering lights or rapidly changing patterns (for some individuals)
  • Stress or emotional upset
  • Menstruation (in some women)
  • Illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea
  • Significant temperature changes or overheating

In Grand Rapids and West Michigan, consider local factors:

  • Cold winters and icy conditions – increase risk of injury if a seizure occurs outdoors; dress warmly but avoid overheating.
  • Summer heat and humidity – can lead to dehydration and overheating, both potential triggers; stay hydrated and avoid prolonged time in direct sun.
  • Seasonal illnesses (colds, flu, COVID-19) – fever, vomiting, and some over-the-counter medications can affect seizure control.

Avoiding or minimizing triggers can help some people reduce seizure frequency, but not all seizures are preventable, even when triggers are controlled.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Some people explore complementary therapies to support overall health, such as:

  • Herbal supplements
  • Aromatherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic care

Important cautions:

  • “Natural” does not always mean safe.
  • Complementary therapies can have active ingredients that cause side effects or allergic reactions.
  • They can interact with antiseizure medications, affecting how drugs are absorbed, broken down, or eliminated.

Always talk with your neurologist, GP, or pharmacist before starting any complementary therapy, especially if you receive care through Grand Rapids health systems.

Local Epilepsy Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you or a loved one has epilepsy in Grand Rapids, you can access support through:

  • Primary care providers (GPs/family doctors) – for initial evaluation and ongoing care
  • Neurologists and epilepsy specialists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
  • Kent County Health Department – public health information and referrals
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – support for individuals with limited insurance or financial resources
  • Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan – education, support groups, and advocacy (statewide resource serving Grand Rapids residents)

In an emergency, such as a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, repeated seizures without full recovery, or injury during a seizure, call 911 immediately. Emergency care is available at local hospitals throughout the Grand Rapids metro area.

Key Points About Epilepsy in Grand Rapids

  • Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes a tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
  • Symptoms vary widely from person to person, depending on seizure type and brain region involved.
  • Anything that damages or scars the brain can potentially lead to epilepsy, but up to half of people never find a specific cause.
  • Medication is the main treatment, and about 70% of people can achieve good seizure control with antiseizure medications.
  • Other treatments, including surgery, VNS, and dietary therapies, may help when medications alone are not effective.
  • Identifying and managing seizure triggers, including sleep, stress, seasonal illnesses, and temperature changes common in Michigan, can support better control.
  • Local Grand Rapids healthcare systems, public health departments, and epilepsy organizations provide specialized care, education, and support for people living with epilepsy and their families.