Final answer:
To start treatment for unprovoked seizures, a healthcare professional should be consulted. Anticonvulsant medications like diazepam are used to manage active seizures and reduce risks of brain damage. In severe cases of epilepsy, brain surgery might be necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decision on when to start treatment for unprovoked seizures should be made by a healthcare professional. In cases where a patient is experiencing active seizures, anticonvulsants such as diazepam may be administered. These medications are designed to manage seizures, potentially improving the long-term prognosis and reducing the risk of brain damage.
It's important to note that these medications are not usually self-administered, as they are intended for patients who are actively seizing. Estimates suggest that up to three percent of people in the United States will be diagnosed with epilepsy, which is characterized by recurrent seizures and can sometimes require anticonvulsant medications to control.
In severe epilepsy cases, where seizures cannot be controlled by medication alone, brain surgery may be considered to remove the brain area where the seizures originate.