When seizures are difficult to diagnose or control, finding answers can be challenging. Community Hospital's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in Munster is helping patients better understand their condition through advanced testing and specialized care.
The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) is a dedicated hospital unit designed for people experiencing seizures or seizure-like events. Community Hospital's EMU is recognized as a National Association of Epilepsy Centers Level 3 Epilepsy Center, a designation that reflects its commitment to advanced epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
“Many seizure disorders are complex and symptoms alone don’t always tell us what’s happening,” said Shaila Gupta, DO, a neurologist with Powers Health. “The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit allows us to gather detailed information that helps us make a more accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan.”
Patients may be referred to the EMU for a variety of reasons, including confirming or ruling out epilepsy, identifying seizure types, determining where seizures begin in the brain and evaluating whether epilepsy surgery may be an option. Physicians also use the unit to assess medication effectiveness and investigate episodes that may resemble seizures but stem from another condition.
During a typical stay, which averages about three days, patients are monitored around the clock in private rooms equipped with technology to continuously monitor brain activity. This includes an electroencephalogram (EEG). The monitoring combines brain wave recordings with video, audio and cardiac data, giving specialists a comprehensive view of what occurs during an event.
“One of the biggest advantages of an EMU evaluation is that we can correlate what we see clinically with what is happening in the brain at the same time,” Dr. Gupta said. “That information is incredibly valuable when determining the best course of treatment.”
The unit is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes epileptologists, neurologists, EEG technologists, nurses, neuropsychologists, case managers and social support professionals. Together, they work to provide comprehensive evaluations and individualized care plans.
For patients and families living with epilepsy, obtaining a clear diagnosis can have a significant impact on daily life.
“Our goal is to provide answers and help patients achieve better seizure control and a better quality of life,” Dr. Gupta said. “The earlier we can accurately identify what’s causing these events, the sooner we can help patients move forward with confidence.”
