Epileptic seizures and
sleep cycles is a complex realm of neuroscience that will not be addressed
here.
Epileptic seizures are
often precipitated by a combination of various clinical factors, but, we find
that sleep loss stands
out as an independent seizure-trigger in neurology clinics. This variable can
be controlled by our epilepsy patients.
Below is a
representative study. It supports obtaining adequate sleep of eight hours per
night. In a prospective, observational cross-over study, 179 consecutive
hospital admissions for epileptic seizures were included.1 The sleep
duration prior to the seizure, as well as alcohol, caffeine and drug use, were
recorded.
Complete data for
analysis were retrieved in 144 patients. The sleep-time during the 24 hours
prior to the seizure was lower (7.3 hours) compared to follow-up
(8.3 hours) longer seizure-free periods. Caffeine consumption and use of
relevant non-antiepileptic drugs (AED) were not different.
I emphasize that
sleep-rest is critical in helping control epilepsy. Be sure to get an adequate
night’s sleep, preferably at least eight hours to support your anti-convulsant
medications.
1) Samsonsen
C, Sand T,
Bråthen G,
et.al. The impact of sleep loss on the facilitation
of seizures: A prospective case-crossover study. Epilepsy Research November
2016, Volume 127, Pages 260-266.
Lance Fogan, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David
Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “DINGS” is his first novel. It is a
mother’s dramatic story that teaches
epilepsy, now available in eBook, audiobook and soft cover editions.
