Epilepsy Jo Whelan looks at the most common serious neurological disorder that affects at least one person in 200. The brain is a network of billions of nerve cells which communicate via electrical signals sparked off by messenger chemicals. A seizure happens when the messenger chemicals get out of balance and cause a sudden storm of abnormal electrical activity.
Epilepsy often starts in childhood but can develop at any age.
Seizures can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, too much alcohol or, in a few people, flickering lights. But often they just happen for no obvious reason. Seizures Seizures come in many forms. Others affect only one area and are called partial. The symptoms experienced depend on where the abnormal brain activity starts and how far it spreads.