What is epilepsy? What are its causes and symptoms?

In India, every year, November 17 is observed as National Epilepsy Day to create awareness about epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a condition in which a person gets ‘seizures’ or ‘fits’ repeatedly. The seizures are caused as a result of sudden, excessive electrical discharges in the neurons (brain cells). This can occur at any age and in each age group has different concerns.

The common causes are listed below:

• Brain damage from any injury

• Brain Infections

• Brain Tumors

• Head Injury/ Accidents

• Prolonged high fever during childhood

The most common symptoms of epilepsy are as follows:

• Loss of consciousness

• Uncontrollable jerking motions of body parts like - arms and legs

• Feeling like someone is pricking needles in arms or legs

• Stiffness in muscles of arms/legs/face