Epilepsy in New York, NY
A seizure can happen without warning, and for the millions of Americans living with epilepsy, that unpredictability touches every aspect of daily life. At Chester Neurology in New York, NY, board-certified neurologist Dr. Roshni Karnani provides expert, individualized epilepsy care designed to reduce the burden of seizures, protect long-term neurological health, and help patients reclaim the independence and confidence that epilepsy can put at risk.
From first evaluation to ongoing management, our team is committed to delivering the highest standard of neurological care to patients throughout Manhattan, Westchester County, and the surrounding communities.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition defined by a persistent predisposition to generate recurrent, unprovoked seizures. A seizure occurs when a sudden, abnormal surge of electrical activity disrupts normal communication between brain cells, producing temporary changes in movement, sensation, behavior, awareness, or consciousness. The presentation varies widely: one person may experience brief staring episodes lasting only seconds, while another may have convulsions involving the entire body.
Importantly, a single seizure does not constitute an epilepsy diagnosis. Epilepsy is generally identified when a person has experienced two or more unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart, or when one unprovoked seizure is accompanied by a high risk of recurrence based on neurological findings. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Seizures are broadly organized into two primary categories:
- Focal (partial) seizures: These originate in a specific, localized area of the brain. Depending on the region affected, focal seizures may cause involuntary movement in one limb, unusual sensory experiences, brief confusion, or altered awareness. They can remain localized or spread to involve both hemispheres.
- Generalized seizures: These involve widespread, simultaneous abnormal electrical activity across both sides of the brain from the outset. Subtypes include absence seizures (brief lapses in awareness), tonic-clonic seizures (stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking), myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks), atonic seizures (sudden loss of muscle tone), and tonic or clonic seizures occurring independently.
Before a seizure begins, some patients experience a warning called an aura; a brief sensory, emotional, or cognitive phenomenon such as an unusual smell, a rising sensation in the abdomen, a feeling of deja vu, or visual disturbances. An aura is itself a focal seizure and can serve as an important diagnostic clue.
Warning signs that require immediate emergency attention include any seizure lasting longer than five minutes, seizures occurring in rapid succession without the person regaining consciousness between them, and any seizure that results in injury, difficulty breathing, or failure to recover to a baseline level of awareness.
About New York, NY
New York City is one of the most dynamic and culturally rich cities in the world, home to millions of residents across Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Known for its world-class healthcare institutions, New York is a hub for advanced neurological care and medical innovation. As the population ages, the need for specialized Alzheimer’s disease care continues to grow throughout the city.
With its diverse communities and fast-moving lifestyle, New York presents unique challenges for individuals living with memory disorders and cognitive decline. Access to specialized neurology care close to home is critical for early diagnosis and long-term disease management. Chester Neurology serves patients throughout New York, NY, by offering expert neurological evaluations in a supportive and accessible setting. The practice understands the importance of continuity of care and works closely with families to provide guidance, education, and long-term support in a city where healthcare needs are as complex as the population itself.
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Who Is a Candidate for Epilepsy Treatment?
Anyone who has experienced a seizure deserves a thorough neurological evaluation. Epilepsy is not a condition to monitor passively. Untreated or inadequately managed epilepsy carries significant risks, including injury during seizures, cognitive and psychological consequences of repeated seizure activity, and, in rare cases, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Seeking specialist care early makes a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.
You should seek an evaluation at Chester Neurology if you or a loved one has experienced any of the following:
- One or more unprovoked seizures at any age
- Episodes of unexplained staring, confusion, or unresponsiveness
- Sudden, uncontrolled muscle jerking or stiffening
- Brief periods of memory loss or “blank” episodes that others have noticed
- Convulsions with or without loss of consciousness
- Seizures that have been diagnosed but are not adequately controlled with current treatment
- Seizures occurring more frequently, lasting longer, or changing in character
- Side effects from antiseizure medications that are affecting quality of life
- A desire to explore non-pharmacological treatment options or surgical candidacy
- A newly diagnosed neurological condition known to increase seizure risk, such as a brain tumor, stroke, or autoimmune encephalitis
Epilepsy treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The most effective management plan depends on the seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, underlying etiology, patient age, comorbidities, lifestyle, and personal goals. At Chester Neurology, every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation before any treatment recommendation is made.
Ideal Candidates for Epilepsy Treatment in New York Are:
While epilepsy can affect anyone, the following patient profiles represent those who may be especially well-suited to the specialized neurological epilepsy care at Chester Neurology:
- Newly diagnosed patients: Individuals who have experienced a first or second seizure and require a definitive diagnosis, seizure classification, appropriate workup, and guidance on whether and how to begin treatment.
- Patients with medication-resistant epilepsy: Approximately one-third of people with epilepsy do not achieve adequate seizure control with antiseizure medications. These patients benefit from advanced evaluation, medication review, and consideration of neurostimulation therapies or surgical referral.
- Children and adolescents with seizure disorders: Young patients require age-appropriate evaluation and management, including consideration of how epilepsy and its treatment may interact with development, cognition, school performance, and social functioning.
- Adults experiencing seizure breakthrough: Patients whose epilepsy was previously well controlled but who have begun experiencing seizures again due to medication changes, lifestyle factors, or disease progression.
- Women of childbearing age with epilepsy: Epilepsy management in women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy involves specialized considerations, as seizure control and medication safety both carry significant implications for maternal and fetal health.
- Older adults with new-onset seizures: Seizures that begin after age 60 often have a structural or vascular cause, such as stroke or neurodegenerative disease, and require careful investigation and tailored management.
- Patients experiencing psychiatric or cognitive comorbidities: Depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties are significantly more common in people with epilepsy than in the general population. Comprehensive care at Chester Neurology addresses both seizure management and the broader neurological and psychological impact of the condition.
- Patients seeking a second opinion: Individuals who have received an epilepsy diagnosis elsewhere and wish to confirm their diagnosis, review their treatment plan, or explore additional options with a board-certified neurologist.
Benefits of Epilepsy Treatment
Effective epilepsy treatment can be transformative. For patients who achieve good seizure control, the benefits extend far beyond simply reducing the number of seizures; they encompass virtually every domain of health, safety, independence, and quality of life. Some of the benefits you can expect include the following:
- Seizure Reduction or Elimination: The most direct goal of epilepsy treatment is reducing seizure frequency and severity. With an appropriately selected antiseizure medication, many patients achieve complete seizure freedom.
- Improved Safety: Seizures can pose serious safety risks, including falls, burns, drowning, and motor vehicle accidents. Effective seizure management reduces these risks substantially. For patients who drive or work in safety-sensitive occupations, seizure control may restore the ability to maintain their license and employment status.
- Protection of Cognitive Function: Repeated, uncontrolled seizures can disrupt normal brain development and impair memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function. Early and effective seizure management helps preserve cognitive integrity and reduces the long-term neurological impact of the condition.
- Reduced Psychological Burden: Living with uncontrolled epilepsy is associated with high rates of depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Achieving better seizure control can significantly improve emotional well-being.
- Restored Independence: Many patients with epilepsy face restrictions on activities such as driving, swimming, working at heights, or traveling alone. As seizure control improves, these restrictions can often be modified or lifted, restoring a degree of independence that profoundly affects the patient’s sense of self and their ability to participate fully in life.
- Access to Advanced Treatment Options: At Chester Neurology, patients have access to the full spectrum of epilepsy management, including ambulatory video EEG for detailed seizure characterization, medication management with the newest antiseizure agents, and referral pathways to neurostimulation therapies (such as vagus nerve stimulation or responsive neurostimulation) and epilepsy surgery programs when appropriate.
Schedule a Consultation for Epilepsy Treatment in New York, NY
Epilepsy is a complex neurological condition that deserves the attention of a specialist who understands not just the seizures themselves, but the full impact the condition has on a person’s life. At Chester Neurology in New York, NY, Dr. Roshni Karnani brings board certification in neurology and psychiatry, deep clinical expertise, and a compassionate approach to every patient evaluation.
Whether you are seeking a first evaluation after a seizure, struggling with a treatment plan that is not working, or simply looking for a neurologist who will take the time to understand your individual circumstances, Chester Neurology is here to help.
Call Chester Neurology at (914) 816-1941 or use our online contact form to request an appointment.
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