Wellness Tips from Josef Schenker, MD
Welcome to the Wellness Tips blog series with Dr. Josef Schenker, Medical Director at Centers Urgent Care. Drawing from his deep experience in internal medicine and emergency care, Dr. Schenker offers valuable guidance to help you take charge of your health and live well.
Each post tackles important health topics, providing expert insights and practical advice to help you prevent common illnesses. With a strong focus on prevention and everyday wellness, these tips are here to support informed, confident decisions about your health.
Seizure Management
Seizures are more common than many realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1% of all emergency department visits in the United States are due to seizures or epilepsy-related issues. This highlights the importance of understanding seizures—not just for those who experience them, but also for their families, friends, and caregivers.
Being informed about what causes seizures and how to manage them can make a significant difference in outcomes. Josef Schenker, MD is here to guide us through the essentials of seizure management, ensuring we’re equipped with the knowledge to respond effectively.
Dr. Josef Schenker Explains What is a Seizure
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. Dr. Josef Schenker further explains that seizures can vary in severity and duration, and not all seizures involve convulsions.
Types of Seizures
Dr. Josef Schenker explains that seizures are broadly categorized into two main types:
Generalized Seizures (affecting both sides of the brain):
- Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizures: Characterized by stiffening of the body (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic phase). These are the most dramatic types of seizures
- Absence (Petit Mal) Seizures: Brief lapses in awareness, often seen in children. The person may stare blankly for a few seconds
- Myoclonic Seizures: Sudden, brief jerks or twitches of a muscle or group of muscles.
- Atonic Seizures: Sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to falls or head drops.
- Tonic Seizures: Muscle stiffening without the jerking phase.
- Clonic Seizures: Rhythmic jerking movements without the initial stiffening.
Focal (Partial) Seizures (originating in one area of the brain):
- Focal Aware Seizures (Simple Partial): The person remains conscious and aware but may experience unusual sensations or movements.
- Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures (Complex Partial): Involves altered consciousness and may include automatisms like lip-smacking or hand movements.
- Focal to Bilateral Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Starts in one part of the brain and spreads to both sides, leading to a generalized seizure.
Signs and Symptoms of a Seizure
Seizures often occur in stages:
- Prodrome: Hours or days before a seizure, some individuals may experience mood changes, anxiety, or other subtle signs.
- Aura: A warning sign at the beginning of a seizure, which can include strange sensations, smells, or visual disturbances.
- Ictal Phase: The active seizure phase, where symptoms like convulsions, loss of consciousness, or unusual behaviors occur.
- Postictal Phase: After the seizure, the person may feel confused, tired, or have memory loss.
Common symptoms during a seizure include:
- Staring spells
- Uncontrollable jerking movements
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Temporary confusion
- Psychic symptoms like fear or anxiety
Causes of Seizures
Seizures can result from various factors:
- Epilepsy: A chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
- High Fever: Especially in young children, leading to febrile seizures.
- Head Injuries: Trauma can disrupt normal brain activity.
- Stroke: Interruptions in blood flow to the brain can cause seizures.
- Brain Tumors: Abnormal growths can interfere with electrical activity.
- Infections: Such as meningitis or encephalitis.
- Genetic Factors: Inherited conditions affecting brain function.
- Metabolic Imbalances: Low blood sugar, electrolyte disturbances, or kidney/liver failure.
- Withdrawal: From alcohol or certain medications.
- Sleep Deprivation: Lack of rest can lower the seizure threshold.
- Stress: Emotional or physical stress can be a trigger for some individuals.
Josef Schenker, MD, Explains How to Manage Seizures
Josef Schenker, MD states that effective seizure management starts with understanding that no two cases are exactly alike. The type of seizure a person experiences—and the underlying cause—plays a big role in how it should be treated and managed. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Managing seizures successfully means working closely with a healthcare provider to create a personalized plan that addresses your specific triggers, symptoms, and medical history.
The good news is, that several practical and evidence-based steps can help reduce the risk of seizures and support a safer, healthier lifestyle::
Medication Adherence
One of the most important aspects of seizure prevention is taking your anti-seizure medication exactly as prescribed. Skipping doses or stopping medications without medical supervision can raise your risk of having a seizure. Set reminders, use pill organizers, or build them into your daily routine to stay consistent.
Regular Medical Check-ups
Seeing your neurologist or primary care provider regularly ensures your treatment plan stays up to date. As your body and lifestyle change, so might your medical needs. Regular check-ups allow for medication adjustments and help catch potential issues before they become serious.
Avoiding Triggers
Everyone’s seizure triggers are different. For some, it’s flashing lights or visual patterns; for others, it may be stress, sleep deprivation, or even specific foods. Keeping a seizure diary can help you identify patterns and avoid situations that may increase your risk.
Healthy Lifestyle
Good health habits can go a long way. Getting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, and staying physically active all help support overall brain function and reduce the likelihood of seizures. It’s not just about avoiding the bad—it’s about strengthening your system with the good.
Stress Management
Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health when it comes to seizure control. Chronic stress can be a major trigger. Activities like yoga, breathing exercises, mindfulness, or talking with a therapist can help you manage stress before it becomes overwhelming.
Limit Alcohol and Avoid Recreational Drugs
Alcohol and recreational drugs can interact dangerously with anti-seizure medications or lower your brain’s threshold for seizures. If you’re managing a seizure disorder, it’s best to limit or avoid these substances altogether.
Safety Measures
Living with a seizure condition means being proactive about safety. This includes using helmets or protective gear during physical activities, keeping bathrooms safe (to prevent falls), and informing trusted individuals around you about your condition so they know how to help in an emergency.
Josef Schenker, MD emphasizes that while lifestyle adjustments and medication play key roles in seizure prevention, working with trained medical professionals is critical. They can help you understand what’s triggering your seizures, recommend the most effective treatments, and support your journey with expert care.
Josef Schenker, MD, Answers Frequently Asked Questions:
During a seizure, keep the person safe by gently guiding them away from hazards and placing something soft under their head. Turn them onto their side if possible to help with breathing. Never put anything in their mouth. Stay until they recover.
Yes. Many seizures are treatable through a combination of anti-seizure medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgical intervention. The success of treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause and tailoring the approach to the individual’s specific type of seizure and overall health condition.
Yes. For some people, chronic or intense stress can act as a seizure trigger. Emotional stress affects brain activity and can lower the threshold for seizures. Learning stress-reduction strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and therapy can be an effective part of seizure management.
Seize Back Control with Proactive Seizure Management
While seizures can be challenging, understanding and implementing effective management strategies can significantly improve quality of life. With the right support and information, individuals can navigate this condition confidently.
If you or a loved one is dealing with seizures, Centers Urgent Care is here to help. With multiple locations across New York and a dedicated team led by Dr. Josef Schenker, we offer expert care tailored to your needs. Don’t wait—reach out today to take the first step toward better seizure management.
About Josef Schenker, MD:
Dr. Josef Schenker, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and emergency medical services, brings extensive experience and compassion to his role as Medical Director and Partner at Centers Urgent Care. With leadership in SeniorCare Emergency Medical Services and as an Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Dr. Schenker oversees critical care and treatment protocols across varied medical needs. His dedication extends to chairing NYC REMAC, ensuring adherence to state standards in emergency medical procedures. At Centers Urgent Care, Dr. Schenker's expertise ensures prompt, high-quality emergency care for patients of all ages, supported by state-of-the-art facilities including a dedicated pediatric suite.
