Fatima Sana Shaikh said she stopped attending events after her epilepsy diagnosis because "flashing lights are a known trigger" for the neurological condition. "I informed the paparazzi about my condition, and they were incredibly considerate," she told Filmfare. "They made a point not to use flashlights when I was around. Sometimes, my colleagues wouldn't understand, but the paparazzi did," the actor added. What is epilepsy, and what are its symptoms? Epilepsy, a type of neurological disorder, mainly affects an individual’s brain’s electrical activities. "People with this disorder are more likely to experience recurring seizures. The intensity and the type of seizures may vary from person to person, depending on their condition. Epilepsy can affect anyone, irrespective of their age, race, or background," said Dr Pankaj Agarwal, head of the Department of Neurology at Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai. The symptoms may include "significant changes in behaviour, drooling, nausea, loss of bowel movement, confusion, difficulty in thinking, anxiety, and depression", noted Dr Agarwal. Flashing lights act as a trigger According to experts, one of the most common triggers of epilepsy is sharp lights like flashlights or flickering lights. Photographic flashes can trigger an epileptic attack in a type of epilepsy, referred to as photosensitive epilepsy, accounting for about three per cent of all epilepsy cases, said consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. Dr Kumar added that the most famous case of photosensitive epilepsy occurred in Japan in 1997, referred to as Pokemon Shock. "During the sole broadcast of Pokemon anime in Japan on December 16, 1997, a scene with flashing lights induced photosensitive epileptic seizures in children across the country. Over 600 children were taken to hospitals," he told indianexpress.com. He informed us that this form of trigger is more common in children and adolescents than in adults. Flashlights can become problematic if they flash in specific patterns or rapidly, which can "stimulate your brain." "The sharp and flickering light may confuse their brain, making concentrating challenging. When triggered, their brain may experience sudden bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity. They may start to lose control over their body, and they may experience constant shaking and jerking movements, or their bodies may become stiff. For the moment, they may find it difficult to understand what is happening around them," said Dr Agarwal. This is why it becomes crucial to "rush them to the hospital immediately". "Delaying can only worsen their condition," cautioned Dr Agarwal. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
