Nocturnal seizures occur while sleeping and can be caused by various factors. Symptoms include biting the tongue, wetting the bed, and feeling tired or confused. Treatment involves medication and avoiding triggers. It is not life-threatening but can cause injury if proper precautions are not taken.
A nocturnal seizure is a disorder in which seizures occur only while a person is sleeping. They can be caused by abnormal or unusual electrical impulses in the brain, head trauma, or exposure to toxic substances. These types of seizures can also be caused by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, skipping meals, or recreational drug use. They are difficult to diagnose but can usually be controlled with medication.
Many times, people are unaware that they have had a nighttime seizure because they didn’t wake up while it was happening. Partners of those who are afflicted may not even recognize that this has happened because the person may be tossing and turning heavily. This often means that individuals do not seek treatment for nocturnal epilepsy unless they are injured due to a seizure.
Some of the symptoms of a nocturnal attack include biting the tongue and wetting the bed. A person might also wake up the next morning with a severe headache or feel lightheaded and dizzy. Other times, they may be confused or extremely tired.
Once it’s determined that a person has had a nocturnal seizure, they should make an appointment with their doctor. That professional may want to run a variety of tests to confirm a diagnosis of nocturnal epilepsy. This may include doing a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain and head.
People who are determined to have had a nighttime seizure should try to figure out the cause of this problem. They may want to eliminate or reduce their exposure to hazardous chemicals if possible. They should also limit their alcohol intake and drug use to make sure these substances don’t cause a spasm. Individuals may also want to stay away from bright, flashing, or flickering lights, such as those often found in nightclubs.
Doctors often prescribe medications to control nocturnal seizures. While these medicines can reduce the number of episodes, they usually don’t eliminate them completely. For this reason, it is imperative that those affected also avoid the things that cause these seizures whenever possible.
Nocturnal epilepsy is not usually a life-threatening condition. Even so, people who are prone to having a nocturnal seizure should follow their doctor’s advice carefully so they don’t inadvertently injure themselves while sleeping. Patients who do this usually have fewer accidents and consequently experience fewer side effects than those who do not take the proper precautions.
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