What Is Epilepsy, Which Shefali Jariwala Battled For 15 Years? Symptoms, Causes And Treatment | Lifestyle News
Sandy Verma June 29, 2025 01:24 AM

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Kaanta Laga’s success catapulted Shefali Jariwala to overnight stardom in 2002. However, she had revealed she had been suffering from epilepsy since the age of 15.

Shefali Jariwala once revealed her battle with epilepsy limited her acting career after Kaanta Laga.

Shefali jariwala death: Actress and reality show star Shefali Jariwala, best know for her iconic appearance in the ‘Cancer music video and her participation in Bigg Boss 13, has passed away reportedly due to cardiac arrest. Her sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the television industry and left her fans heartbroken.

The actor, who died on Friday aged 42, was meant to be the next big thing in showbiz, but a secret illness derailed that promising career. Amid the heartbreaking news, a throwback interview of the Bollywood star has resurfaced, where she opened up about her health struggles and why she stepped back from her career.

Kaanta Laga’s success catapulted Jariwala to overnight stardom in 2002. However, in an interview with The Times of India, Jariwala had revealed she had been suffering from epilepsy since the age of 15.

“I had an epilepsy seizure at the age of 15. I remember at that time I was under tremendous pressure to do well in my studies. Stress and anxiety can lead to seizures. It’s inter, you could get a seizure due to depression and vice versa,” she had shared.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a severe neurological condition that can have a significant impact on an individual’s daily life. If left untreated or poorly managed, it can lead to life-threatening complications.

However, with appropriate medical intervention and proper precautions, individuals living with epilepsy can manage the condition and avoid severe outcomes.

According to Doctor Vishwanathan Iyer, a neurosurgeon at Zynova Shalby Hospital in Mumbai, Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to seizures. The severity and frequency of these seizures can vary widely among individuals, depending on the extent of the condition.

Symptoms Of Epilepsy

  • Involuntary shaking or jerking movements,
  • Loss of consciousness,
  • Unusual sensations such as strange smells,
  • Dizziness,
  • Visual disturbances, and
  • Confusion

While epilepsy can develop at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed during childhood. Living with epilepsy can be a daunting and stressful experience. Those affected may find themselves relying on others for basic activities like driving, eating, bathing, or dressing, which can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, anxiety, and even depression.

Precautions And Treatment

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Iyer emphasised the importance of both medical treatment and preventive measures to save lives and manage the condition. Medication is often the first line of defence, as it helps stabilise brain activity and reduce the frequency of seizures.

In cases where medications are ineffective, surgical options may be considered. For more severe instances, treatments like Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) or Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) can be recommended for patients who do not respond to conventional medications.

He also recommended making significant lifestyle changes to improve overall well-being and manage the condition effectively. Simple but essential practices such as getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, managing stress through relaxation techniques, avoiding known seizure triggers, and maintaining a balanced diet can greatly help in controlling epilepsy.

Who was shefali jariwala?

Shefali first rose to fame in the early 2000s with her bold and glamorous look in the remix music video Kaanta Laga, which became an overnight sensation. She was dubbed “The Kaanta Laga Girl” and was seen as a trailblazer for the remix era. She also made a brief appearance in the 2004 film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi starring Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.

In later years, Shefali transitioned to reality TV and gained popularity through her participation in Nach Baliye with her husband, and later, Bigg Boss 13. Her entry into the Bigg Boss house was particularly talked-about due to her history with fellow contestant and late actor Sidharth Shukla. The two had dated over a decade ago, but Shefali maintained that they were always respectful of each other on and off the show.

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Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More

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