At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists diagnose and manage epilepsy long-term, using in-house EEG testing, for patients across Western Maryland, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania. Whether you've just had a first seizure or you've lived with epilepsy for years, our goal is simple: no seizures, no side effects.
Request an Appointment or call (301) 797-7600.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition defined by a tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures — generally two or more seizures that are not caused by a temporary, reversible trigger such as very low blood sugar or alcohol withdrawal. A seizure itself is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which briefly disrupts how brain cells communicate.
Epilepsy is not a single disease but a spectrum of conditions that affect people of every age, from infants to older adults. It is also one of the most manageable neurological conditions: with the right treatment, the majority of people achieve good seizure control. The first and most important step is an accurate diagnosis from a neurologist who can identify your specific seizure type and its likely cause.
Types of Seizures
Seizures are grouped by where in the brain they begin. Focal seizures start in one area; generalized seizures involve both sides of the brain from the start. Knowing your seizure type guides which medication and treatment plan is most likely to work for you.
| Seizure type | Category | What it can look like |
|---|---|---|
| Focal aware | Focal | You stay fully awake and aware. May involve twitching in one part of the body, unusual smells or tastes, déjà vu, or a sudden wave of emotion. |
| Focal impaired awareness | Focal | Awareness is reduced. Staring, confusion, and repetitive movements such as lip-smacking or hand-fumbling, usually with no memory of the event. |
| Tonic-clonic (formerly "grand mal") | Generalized | Loss of consciousness, body stiffening, then rhythmic jerking. May include tongue-biting or loss of bladder control, followed by confusion and fatigue. |
| Absence (formerly "petit mal") | Generalized | Brief blank staring spells lasting a few seconds, most common in children and often mistaken for daydreaming. |
| Myoclonic | Generalized | Sudden, brief shock-like jerks of the arms or legs, usually with awareness preserved. |
| Atonic ("drop attacks") | Generalized | Sudden loss of muscle tone causing a head drop or collapse, which carries a higher risk of injury. |
Learn more on our Seizures page, including what a seizure feels like and when a single seizure needs evaluation.
Epilepsy & Seizure Symptoms
Because seizures start in different parts of the brain, symptoms vary widely from person to person. Common signs include:
- Convulsions — stiffening of the body followed by rhythmic jerking
- Staring spells or brief lapses of awareness
- Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking
- Repetitive movements such as lip-smacking, chewing, or fumbling
- Unusual sensations — strange smells or tastes, tingling, or a rising feeling in the stomach
- Temporary unresponsiveness or "blanking out"
- Sudden falls, or brief shock-like muscle jerks
Between seizures, most people with epilepsy have no symptoms at all and feel completely normal. Keeping a simple seizure diary — what happened, how long it lasted, and any triggers — helps your neurologist fine-tune your treatment.
What Causes Epilepsy?
Epilepsy can result from anything that affects the structure or chemistry of the brain. Common causes include:
- Genetic factors — some forms of epilepsy run in families
- Head injury or traumatic brain injury
- Stroke — a leading cause of new epilepsy in older adults
- Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
- Brain tumors or structural changes
- Problems with brain development present from birth
In about half of all cases, no specific cause is found. Genetics can play a role and some types run in families, but many cases are not directly inherited. Not knowing the cause does not make epilepsy any harder to treat — treatment is guided mainly by your seizure type.
Seizure First Aid: What to Do
If you witness someone having a convulsive (tonic-clonic) seizure, staying calm and following a few simple steps keeps them safe.
Do
- Stay calm and stay with the person
- Time the seizure from start to finish
- Ease them to the floor and cushion the head
- Turn them gently onto their side to keep the airway clear
- Move away hard or sharp objects and loosen anything tight around the neck
- Stay until they are fully alert, and be reassuring
Do Not
- Do not hold the person down or restrain their movements
- Do not put anything in their mouth — they cannot swallow their tongue
- Do not give food or water until they are fully awake and alert
- Do not panic — most seizures stop on their own within a couple of minutes
Call 911 immediately if:
- The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- A second seizure follows quickly, or they don't regain consciousness between seizures
- The person does not wake up or is not breathing normally afterward
- It is their first-known seizure
- The seizure happens in water, or causes a serious injury
- The person is pregnant, or has diabetes or a heart condition
How Epilepsy Is Diagnosed at Mir Neurology
An accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment — and one seizure is not always epilepsy. Your evaluation at Mir Neurology may include:
- A detailed history of the events, ideally with input from someone who witnessed them
- A neurological exam to assess brain and nerve function
- EEG testing — the key test that records the brain's electrical activity to detect the patterns associated with epilepsy, performed in-house for your convenience
- Brain imaging such as MRI, to look for a structural cause like a stroke, scar, or tumor
- Blood tests to identify contributing or reversible factors
Because we perform EEG testing in our own offices, most patients are evaluated locally — without traveling to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, or Washington, D.C.
What Happens During Your EEG
An EEG (electroencephalogram) is a safe, painless test that records your brain's electrical activity. Here's exactly what to expect:
- Before your appointment
Wash your hair the night before and skip conditioner, oils, gels, or hairspray so the sensors make good contact. Eat normally and take your usual medications unless your neurologist tells you otherwise. If a sleep-deprived study is ordered, you'll get specific sleep instructions.
- Sensor placement
A technician measures your scalp and attaches small metal discs (electrodes) using a washable paste. There are no needles, and no electricity is ever sent into you — the electrodes only listen to your brain's own signals.
- Baseline recording
You'll rest quietly with your eyes open and then closed while the machine records your brain activity. All you have to do is relax.
- Activation procedures
You may be asked to breathe deeply for a few minutes (hyperventilation) and to look at a flashing light (photic stimulation). These harmless steps can bring out abnormal patterns that help with diagnosis.
- Drowsy or sleep recording
Some studies capture a period of drowsiness or light sleep, when certain epilepsy patterns are easier to see. A routine EEG usually takes about 60–90 minutes.
- Finishing up
The electrodes are removed and the paste washes out with regular shampoo. There's no downtime — you can drive and return to your normal day right away.
- Your results
Your Mir Neurology neurologist personally reviews the recording and explains what it means for your diagnosis and treatment plan at your follow-up.
Epilepsy Treatment Options
Most people with epilepsy achieve good control, and your plan is tailored to your seizure type, age, lifestyle, and other health conditions.
Anti-seizure medications
Medication is the mainstay of treatment and controls seizures for roughly 7 in 10 people. Your neurologist selects a medication matched to your seizure type and adjusts the dose over time to find the balance of full seizure control with the fewest side effects.
Identifying and managing triggers
Certain factors make seizures more likely. The most common are lack of sleep, high stress, missed medication doses, and alcohol. Recognizing and managing your personal triggers is a powerful part of staying seizure-free.
Safety and daily-life guidance
We help you navigate practical questions — driving, work, exercise, and home safety — so epilepsy interferes with your life as little as possible.
Advanced care for hard-to-control seizures
When seizures don't respond to two well-chosen medications (called drug-resistant or refractory epilepsy), other options exist — including evaluation for epilepsy surgery, nerve stimulation therapies, or dietary therapy. We coordinate referral to a specialized epilepsy center when advanced treatment is appropriate.
Ongoing follow-up
Epilepsy is a long-term condition, so we monitor your response, watch for medication side effects, and adjust your plan as your life changes.
Living With Epilepsy
With good seizure control, the vast majority of people with epilepsy work, drive, raise families, and live fully. A few areas benefit from a neurologist who knows your history:
- Driving: Maryland requires a seizure-free period before returning to driving (often around three months, depending on your circumstances and your physician's guidance). We help you understand the rules and document your progress.
- Work and school: Most jobs and activities are safe; we provide guidance for roles with specific safety requirements.
- Pregnancy planning: Many people with epilepsy have healthy pregnancies — planning ahead with your neurologist to review medications is important.
- Home and personal safety: Simple adjustments reduce injury risk during a seizure.
- Emotional wellbeing: Anxiety and depression are common alongside epilepsy, and support is part of complete care.
We partner with you and your family at every stage — because managing epilepsy well is about your whole life, not just your prescriptions.
Why Choose Mir Neurology?
Board-Certified Neurologists
Experienced epilepsy and seizure care backed by 20+ years of neurological expertise.
In-House EEG Testing
Convenient, on-site EEG for accurate seizure and epilepsy diagnosis — no long-distance travel.
Long-Term Management
Personalized treatment, medication monitoring, and attentive, ongoing follow-up.
Trusted Locally
Two convenient locations in Cumberland and Hagerstown, with most major insurance plans accepted.
What Our Patients Say
Mir Neurology is one of the most reviewed neurology practices in the region, rated 4.6★ across 200+ Google reviews.
"Dr Mir is very caring he takes the time to understand what your problem is very caring. Strongly recommend their services "
"Very thorough with holistic approach. They took their time and really listened to me. "
Serving Western Maryland & the Tri-State Area
Maryland
Cumberland, Hagerstown, LaVale, Frostburg, Cresaptown, Hancock, Williamsport, Smithsburg, Boonsboro
West Virginia
Martinsburg, Keyser, Romney, Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw
Pennsylvania
Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Mercersburg
Cumberland office: 924 Seton Dr Suite C, Cumberland, MD 21502 — Mon–Sat, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Hagerstown office: 11110 Medical Campus Rd Unit 151, Hagerstown, MD 21742 — Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition defined by recurrent, unprovoked seizures — generally two or more that are not caused by a temporary, reversible trigger. It affects people of all ages and is highly treatable.
What kind of doctor treats epilepsy?
A neurologist diagnoses and manages epilepsy. Because it is a lifelong condition, ongoing care with a neurologist who knows your history leads to the best outcomes.
How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Through your seizure history, a neurological exam, an EEG to detect epilepsy-related brain activity, and often MRI imaging and blood tests to look for an underlying cause.
Does one seizure mean I have epilepsy?
Not necessarily. A single seizure can have a temporary cause. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after two unprovoked seizures, or after one seizure when testing shows a high risk of more. Any first seizure should be evaluated by a neurologist.
Is epilepsy genetic?
Genetics can play a role and some types run in families, but many cases are not directly inherited, and about half have no identifiable cause.
Can epilepsy be treated or cured?
Most people achieve good seizure control with anti-seizure medication — about 7 in 10. When seizures don't respond, options including surgery, nerve stimulation, or dietary therapy may be considered. Some people eventually become seizure-free and stop medication under a neurologist's guidance.
What should I do if someone is having a seizure?
Stay calm, time the seizure, cushion their head, turn them on their side, and clear the area. Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, repeats, causes injury, happens in water, or is their first.
How long does an EEG take, and does it hurt?
A routine EEG takes about 60–90 minutes and is completely painless. Small sensors are attached to your scalp with a washable paste — there are no needles and no electricity is sent into you.
Do I need to stop my medications before an EEG?
Usually no — take your medications as prescribed unless your neurologist gives you specific instructions. Skip hair products the night before, and follow any sleep-deprivation instructions if provided.
What triggers seizures?
The most common triggers are lack of sleep, stress, missed medication doses, and alcohol. Identifying your personal triggers is an important part of staying seizure-free.
Can I drive if I have epilepsy?
Often yes, once your seizures are controlled. Maryland requires a seizure-free period before driving (frequently around three months, based on your situation and your physician's guidance). Your neurologist can advise you on the current requirements.
What if my seizures don't respond to medication?
This is called drug-resistant (refractory) epilepsy. It doesn't mean there's nothing more to do — we re-evaluate your diagnosis and coordinate referral to a specialized epilepsy center for advanced options such as surgery, nerve stimulation, or dietary therapy.
Living With Epilepsy?
Mir Neurology provides expert, long-term epilepsy care with in-house EEG testing in Cumberland and Hagerstown. Get an accurate diagnosis and a plan built around your life.
Request an appointment | (301) 797-7600
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you or someone else may be having a medical emergency, call 911.