When you hear the word epilepsy, what comes to mind? For many, it’s a vague image of someone having a seizure – but there’s much more to it. According to WHO around 50 million people in the whole world suffer from epilepsy which is one of the major neurological disorders. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by episodes of seizures (which may not be easily foreseen) and can occur at any age, in anyone. Though there are various treatments available, many people have a problem controlling the disorder: hence awareness, more research and proper care must be provided.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting the brain where nerve cells send irregular signals resulting to seizure. A seizure is a sudden attack that produces losses of muscle control as well as control of perceptions, emotions, and capabilities. Seizure is a little like having a surge across a circuit, where groups of neurons erupt into synchronous firing for a short period of time, disrupting the normal circuits within the brain. These seizures may range from loss of consciousness to only muscle jerking called myoclonus. There are two primary types of seizures: Focal (localized to one part of the brain) and Generalized (involving to both sides of the brain simultaneously).
