Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. It is more common than stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for epilepsy. With appropriate management, however, many patients are able to enjoy good quality of life.
Mark Yerby, M.D., M.P.H., founded Providence Epilepsy Center in 2002. The center's interdisciplinary team works together to provide medical, nursing, educational, social, psychological and surgical services.
Providence features four monitored inpatient beds to diagnose epilepsy with absolute accuracy, available in two convenient locations. Additionally, the team at Providence Epilepsy Center has special expertise in managing the unique problems faced by women who have epilepsy.
Two new epilepsy specialists join Providence Brain Institute With the recent recruitment of two new physicians, Providence Epilepsy Services now offers specialized care at both Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence Milwaukie Hospital.
Manage seizures through a new surgical procedure
A surgical procedure to reduce seizures is now available to epilepsy patients. Called vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), "it has been clinically proven to decrease, and in some cases, eliminate, seizures by conditioning the brain to better react to the interruptions in brain function common in epilepsy," says Mark Yerby, M.D., M.P.H., neurologist and epilepsy expert.
