To understand what the epilepsy is and how it arises, we have to understand the main brain functions. "The human brain is a marvelously complicated organ; it has to be, for it controls every waking and sleeping activity, every conscious and unconscious thought and need and process that we engage in." (Harry Sands and Frances C. Minters, 1977, p.2) The brain consists of nerve cells or neurons. Each neuron has an electrically charged part. It receives electrical signals from other neurons, and passes them to others. All the functions of the brain depend on electrical signals that are send from one neu

There are several types of seizures. There can happen a partial seizure or generalized seizure, but sometimes there may also occur some uncommon seizure. All these seizures are divided into several issues. The partial seizure is divided into simple partial seizure and complex seizure. In the simple partial seizure the epileptic activity in one part of the brain does not interfere with consciousness. A person whose epilepsy has been caused by injury to this part of the brain which controls movements, for example of one leg, may experience a series of involuntary jerking movement of that leg as the only symptom. The complex seizure does involve some alternation of awareness. The seizure may cause a feeling of familiarity with the surroundings but being unable to respond. Automatic movement of the jaw may occur. The generalized seizure is divided into absence seizure and tonic-clonic seizure. The absence seizure is not dramatic. This form of epilepsy was previously known as "petit mal" and begins in childhood, between the ages of 5 and 10. It may occur at puberty, or continue throughout adult life. "The child temporarily blacks out during a seizure. The blackout is short, typically it lasts from 5 to 30 seconds and has its onset without warning." (Harry Sands and Frances C. Minsters, 1977, p.8) The child does not fall to the ground, and recovery is prompt, although the attacks may occur repeatedly. The attacks can occur in fact many times in a day. Some people this type of generalized seizure call also daydreaming. The tonic-clonic seizure, that is a part of generalized seizures, was previously called grand mal. This seizure is dramatic. "Grand mal is what most people think epilepsy is all about." (Harry Sands and Frances C. Minters, 1977, p.9) There may be a brief warning like a pain in stomach or the person may cry before losing consciousness completely. The limbs will become stiff and rigid and the breathing will stop. The lips will turn blue and the eyes will be rolled upward. The jaws will be clenched and if there will be tongue or lips in the way, they will be bitten. This tonic phase takes 30-60 seconds in which the body will shake. The person that will recover from such unconsciousness may be confused for several minutes and wishes to sleep for several hours. A day after, headache and soreness are common. There are also other varieties of epilepsy that are uncommon and they include myoclonic seizures, atonic seizures, and tonic seizure. The myoclonic seizure is sudden and symmetrical and may or may not be followed by loss of consciousness. The atonic seizure leads to sudden falling to the ground or dropping of

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