Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Epilepsy Caused Her Mid-Flight Seizures: What Causes Epilepsy

Fatima Sana Shaikh’s Mid-Flight Seizure

Fatima Sana Shaikh is known for her strong roles in films. But in real life, she faces a tough battle with epilepsy. In a recent interview, Fatima talked about a scary moment when she suffered multiple seizures during a flight. She said, “I had a seizure mid-flight, and I had to cancel my shoots. I was heavily sedated, and it took me days to recover. My body was not responding, and I felt extremely weak.” The episode was so severe that she had to cancel her scheduled shoots and take time off to recover. For days after the incident, the ‘Metro In Dino’ actress felt sedated, and her body did not respond as usual.

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What Causes Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder of the brain that makes individuals experience recurrent seizures. Dr Shruti Satish Vadke, Associate Consultant – Neurology, Manipal Hospitals, Baner, Pune, says, "Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder where an individual experiences recurrent seizures. An individual is said to have epilepsy when he/she develop two or more unprovoked seizures separated by at least 24 hours.” This condition occurs in children and the elderly, but is less frequent in younger adults.

Seizures occur due to abnormal, sudden electrical activity in the brain. This may be in one area of the brain (focal seizures) or the entire brain (generalised seizures). In some cases, physicians cannot determine where the seizure started.

A number of causes of epilepsy are possible:

• Family history (genetics)
• Head injury or trauma
• Brain infections (such as meningitis)
• Brain tumors
• Developmental brain problems
• But doctors never discover a definite reason in many situations.

Living With Epilepsy

Living with epilepsy can be hard. People may feel scared, anxious, or embarrassed about having seizures in public. They may need to avoid certain activities, like swimming alone or driving. But with the right treatment and support, most people with epilepsy can live full and active lives. Epilepsy is common in India. A study shows that about 3 to 11 out of every 1,000 people in India have epilepsy. This is similar to the rates seen in other countries. Sadly, many people in India do not get the treatment they need. This is often because of a lack of awareness or limited access to good healthcare. 

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Conclusion

Fatima Sana Shaikh's experience demonstrates that epilepsy can affect anyone, even stars. Seizures are sudden and scary, but knowledge of epilepsy and proper treatment enable individuals to cope with the condition. Drugs may prevent seizures in most individuals. Others might require other forms of treatment, such as surgery or diets. More publicity and care can make it possible for individuals with epilepsy to live safe and happy lives.