There is no cure for epilepsy. However, 80 percent of people with epilepsy are able to effectively control their seizures through various treatment methods, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Treatment should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis. Studies have shown that patients are more likely to be able to control their seizures effectively if treatment is started early.

The most common treatment method for epilepsy is the use of anticonvulsant (anticonvulsants). These medications attempt to control the area of the brain that triggers the seizures. For this reason, it is important that a patient’s seizures be accurately classified before treatment is started. Patients are usually prescribed a low initial dose of one type of anticonvulsant. Their progress will then be monitored by a physician to assess if the anticonvulsant is effective or if the dosage level needs to be adjusted. Patients should  understand what side effects are possible so they can report them to their physician. In some cases, a patient may require two types of anticonvulsants to control the seizures.

For some people with epilepsy, medications fail to control their seizures. In these cases, a physician may recommend additional treatment methods that may be used with medications. These treatment methods include:

• Surgery. Surgery may be considered if a physician thinks that the patient is unlikely to respond to medication. It usually involves removing a small area of the brain. Tests such as electroencephalograms (EEGs) and magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging) may be used to identify the area of the brain triggering the seizures. A surgical team will assess whether the portion of the brain to be removed is close to areas that control motor function, sensations or language. Complications from brain surgery are rare. Studies have shown that most people with epilepsy who have surgery either stop having seizures or the frequency of their seizures is drastically reduced.
  
  
• Vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that originates in the brain stem and controls numerous organs in the body. People with epilepsy that cannot be controlled through medication may have an electronic device surgically implanted under the skin of the chest and attached to the vagus nerve in the lower neck. This device stimulates the vagus nerve through a series of small shocks. These shocks can reduce seizures in people with epilepsy by 20 to 40 percent, according to the NINDS.
  
  
• Diet. There is evidence that a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat can help control seizures in some patients, especially children. This type of diet is called a ketogenic diet because it forces the body to enter a state called ketosis where it burns fat instead of carbohydrates to function. Although there is evidence to support the ketogenic diet as a treatment method, the diet is difficult to maintain and may result in nutritional deficiencies, which can be especially damaging for children.