Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Seizuresoccur when there is unusual electrical activity in thebrain. Nocturnal seizures occur while a person is asleep.Since nocturnal seizures occur while a person is in a state of sleep, diagnosis can be challenging, especially if no one is present to observe them.
This article reviews the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nocturnal seizures.
There are several possible reasons why people have seizures. Causes often depend on someone’s age and medical history. But in about half of people who have seizures, there’s no clear explanation.
Common Causes of SeizuresSome potential causes of seizures include:HighfeverHead trauma or brain injuryBrain tumorsInfections, such asencephalitisormeningitisCongenital conditions, such asDown’s syndromeGeneticsUnusual brain developmentStrokeorAlzheimer’s diseasein elderly people
Common Causes of Seizures
Some potential causes of seizures include:HighfeverHead trauma or brain injuryBrain tumorsInfections, such asencephalitisormeningitisCongenital conditions, such asDown’s syndromeGeneticsUnusual brain developmentStrokeorAlzheimer’s diseasein elderly people
Some potential causes of seizures include:
Although the cause of nocturnal seizures is often unknown, some seizure conditions are more likely than others to occur while sleeping. These include:
Many who experience nocturnal seizures do not know they have them. Symptoms of nocturnal seizures are often harder to identify because the people who experience them are asleep.
Epileptic seizures can occur at any time while a person is awake or asleep. Research has shown that approximately 20% of people with epilepsy only have seizures during sleep, 40% only have seizures while awake, and 35% have seizures both while awake and asleep.
Nocturnal seizures most commonly occur:
Signs that may indicate that a person has had a nocturnal seizure can include:
Seizures during sleep may also cause involuntary movements, such as:
The most helpful way to diagnose nocturnal seizures is to have anelectroencephalogram(EEG). An EEG is a test that monitors electrical abnormalities and activity in the brain. This painless procedure involves pasting tiny electrodes connected to small wires to the scalp. These electrodes can monitor the brain’s activity while awake and asleep.
Sleep studiesare also commonly done for people who suspect they may be having nocturnal seizures. This study requires an overnight stay to monitor electrical activity in the brain during sleep.
Treatment and Prevention
There are a few treatments that are known to help prevent seizures.
Antiepileptic Medications (AEDs)
Ketogenic Diet Therapy
Ketogenicdiets are the most common diet therapy used for people who suffer from seizures.
A ketogenic diet is a high-fat, high protein, and low carbohydrate diet. This diet may reduce seizures in many patients with difficult-to-manage seizures and some who don’t respond well to AEDs.
Surgery
When AEDs and diet therapy aren’t providing relief from seizure activity, surgery may be considered. Epileptic surgery involves removing a portion of the brain that’s causing seizures to occur.
The goal of epilepsy surgery is to reduce or eliminate epileptic seizures. Some procedures could potentially completely stop seizures for many years.
Summary
Seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Although the cause of seizures is often unknown, some seizure conditions are more likely than others to occur while sleeping. Many who experience nocturnal seizures do not know they have them.
Some symptoms may include tongue biting, loss of bladder control, headaches upon waking, or involuntary movements. Nocturnal seizures can be diagnosed through an EEG or sleep study. The most common treatments include antiepileptic medication, ketogenic diet therapy, and surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Nocturnal seizures can be frustrating and significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are healthcare professionals, treatments, and other resources that can help. If you or a loved one has nocturnal seizures, contact a healthcare provider or sleep specialist to discuss treatment and prevention.
If you see someone having a seizure in their sleep, it’s essential to ensure they’re safe and unable to hurt themselves. Some ways to do that include:Make sure there are no sharp objects or items that can cause injury near the person.Do not try to hold them down.Lie them on the floor; if possible, place a pillow under the head.Put them on their side to ensure a clear airway.Time the seizure.If the person is having difficulty breathing, call 911.
If you see someone having a seizure in their sleep, it’s essential to ensure they’re safe and unable to hurt themselves. Some ways to do that include:
The frequency of nocturnal seizures depends on the type of seizures, the person’s medical history, and any treatments being used. Every patient is different.
Some children outgrow their seizures as they get older. This happens more commonly when brain imaging is normal, and there are no other neurological issues. Benign rolandic epilepsy causes nocturnal epilepsy that starts in childhood and often goes away in adulthood.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.Nocturnal seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.What causes seizures?.Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R.Seizures and traumatic brain injury.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014;95(6):1223-1224. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.002Cedars Sinai.Nocturnal seizures.Schmitt B.Sleep and epilepsy syndromes.Neuropediatrics. 2015;46(3):171-180. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1551574American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Epilepsy.Ułamek-Kozioł M, Czuczwar SJ, Januszewski S, Pluta R.Ketogenic diet and epilepsy.Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2510. doi:10.3390/nu11102510Mohan M, Keller S, Nicolson A, et al.The long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery.PLoS One. 2018;13(5):e0196274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196274Epilepsy Foundation.First aid for seizures.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.Nocturnal seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.What causes seizures?.Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R.Seizures and traumatic brain injury.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014;95(6):1223-1224. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.002Cedars Sinai.Nocturnal seizures.Schmitt B.Sleep and epilepsy syndromes.Neuropediatrics. 2015;46(3):171-180. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1551574American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Epilepsy.Ułamek-Kozioł M, Czuczwar SJ, Januszewski S, Pluta R.Ketogenic diet and epilepsy.Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2510. doi:10.3390/nu11102510Mohan M, Keller S, Nicolson A, et al.The long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery.PLoS One. 2018;13(5):e0196274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196274Epilepsy Foundation.First aid for seizures.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
John Hopkins Medicine.Nocturnal seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.What causes seizures?.Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R.Seizures and traumatic brain injury.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014;95(6):1223-1224. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.002Cedars Sinai.Nocturnal seizures.Schmitt B.Sleep and epilepsy syndromes.Neuropediatrics. 2015;46(3):171-180. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1551574American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Epilepsy.Ułamek-Kozioł M, Czuczwar SJ, Januszewski S, Pluta R.Ketogenic diet and epilepsy.Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2510. doi:10.3390/nu11102510Mohan M, Keller S, Nicolson A, et al.The long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery.PLoS One. 2018;13(5):e0196274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196274Epilepsy Foundation.First aid for seizures.
John Hopkins Medicine.Nocturnal seizures.
Epilepsy Foundation.What causes seizures?.
Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R.Seizures and traumatic brain injury.Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014;95(6):1223-1224. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2013.06.002
Cedars Sinai.Nocturnal seizures.
Schmitt B.Sleep and epilepsy syndromes.Neuropediatrics. 2015;46(3):171-180. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1551574
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Epilepsy.
Ułamek-Kozioł M, Czuczwar SJ, Januszewski S, Pluta R.Ketogenic diet and epilepsy.Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2510. doi:10.3390/nu11102510
Mohan M, Keller S, Nicolson A, et al.The long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery.PLoS One. 2018;13(5):e0196274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196274
Epilepsy Foundation.First aid for seizures.
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